After an absence of five years, the Egremont Crab Fair greasy pole has made a comeback.  However instead of the traditional wooden pole which was erected and taken down on Crab Fair day every year, this is a new high-tech carbon fibre pole which is a permanent structure and is floodlit at night.

The new greasy pole was unveiled at an official opening on Saturday 19th January 2008.  Among the guests and dignitaries were Copeland MP Jamie Reed, Mayor of Copeland Cllr Anne Faichney and Turner prizewinners Jeremy Deller and Alan Kane who designed the pole as a public sculpture.

Crab Fair day 2008 will start with the removal of the decorative collar which is designed to prevent attempts to scale the pole other than on Crab Fair day, and the placing of the traditional leg of lamb at the top of the pole, with ribbons at lower levels which can be exchanged for small cash prizes.

Photographs of the opening ceremony can be found in the photo gallery, whilst further information is available at the Creative Egremont website.

This year we will have the following entertainers:

FRIDAY 14th SEPTEMBER, from 5pm - Jason the Juggling Jester on the Main Street.  Superb children's entertainer.

SATURDAY 15th SEPTEMBER, from 10am - Stu-di-Doo on the Main Street.  Another class act to entertain children of all ages.

SATURDAY 15th SEPTEMBER, on the Sports Field - Tom & Tilly Turnip's Tomfoolery featuring Charlie , the world's only nearly flying Reliant Robin.  The first of two performances will start at 1.30pm.  This is not to be missed, it's brilliant.