The Appleby Horse Fair has continued into its second day, with thousands of revellers gathering in the small town of Appleby. The event, which is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Europe, features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls, and horses for sale.
According to The Sun, shops and businesses across the town have closed until the fair ends, with the local community effectively shutting down to accommodate the huge influx of visitors. Pictures from the event show horses being ridden in the River Eden, a longstanding tradition that is part of the fair.
Tens of thousands of travellers have arrived in the small town for the event, lining the roads nearby with cars, vans, and caravans. Campsites have been set up to accommodate all the visitors, quickly filling with hundreds of caravans. The six-day event is a celebration of the heritage of the travelling community, and it is recognised as one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Europe.
The roads of the small town and surrounding area have been lined with travellers arriving to join the festivities. Today, as the celebrations continued, locals have shut their shops and roads are being patrolled by cops. Signs have been left on doors up and down the busy high street reading “closed” with the whole town effectively shut down.
A huge police presence is in the area for the second day in a row, with officers on standby ahead of potential chaos and violence. RSPCA officers and Blue Cross volunteers are also present, keeping an eye on the welfare of the horses being exercised, bought, and sold. During the 2021 event, seven people were arrested.
Travellers and their families have been descending on the town for the fair for 340 years. The event falls on the first weekend of June and is a major event in the travelling community’s calendar. Huge queues have formed along the busy country lanes and town life has ground to a standstill as the fair continues.
As reported by The Sun, massive campsites have been set up to accommodate the visitors, with aerial views showing travellers queuing to enter the campsite. Traffic has ground to a standstill on nearby roads, with a line of vehicles, including campervans and cars, stopped on a road, with a police officer on a motorcycle at the front.
The Appleby Horse Fair is a significant event that showcases the culture and traditions of the travelling community. However, it also poses challenges for the local community, with residents in nearby villages complaining of anti-social behaviour at past events. As the event continues, The Sun will provide updates on the situation.
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