Events

Dickens of a Christmas

Dickens of a Christmas will be held on Sunday 4th December. It brings a taste of Victorian England to Olney.This very popular event attracts many thousands of vistors to enjoy the sense of days gone by. Stalls with all manner of merchandise fill the Market Place, the High Street and the Farmers Market is held on the same day offering many opportunities to purchase Christmas presents as well as supporting local charities.

Stallholders dress in outfits from the period and there is also the chance to visit one of three craft fayres. Olney Town Council organises 'Dickens', with councillors part of a sub committee to ensure the smooth running of this significant event.

The Olney Pancake Race, Shrove Tuesday.

Dating back more than five hundred years, is held on Shrove Tuesday. The course is 415 yards long and is run from the Market Place to the Church at 11.55 a.m. Participants are women who must have lived in Olney for at least 3 months.

Competitors wear the traditional costume of a housewife, including a skirt, apron and head covering and must of course carry a frying pan containing a pancake. The winner, on crossing the line, must toss her pancake and she is then greeted by the verger with the traditional kiss of peace. The race is immediately followed by a Shriving service in the Parish Church when the official Olney and Liberal prizes are presented.

Olney's Cherry Fair

Olney's Cherry Fair will be held on 30th June 2012. The Parish Church organises this 'Country Fair' with country dancing, tug of war, side-shows, produce stalls, teas and other refreshments.The name 'Cherry Fair' harks back to the days when the town of Olney produced a large cherry crop each year and the glut was sold off at the end of the harvest and the town had a holiday. Check the website of St.Peter and St.Paul Church for details close to the event.  

The Duck and Raft Race

The Duck and Raft Race is usually held the Sunday after the Cherry Fair in June. It brings out the town to first watch hundreds of plastic ducks 'race' down the River Ouse watched by their sponsors. Then it is the turn of fit children, men and women who assemble a raft and then must paddle it along the river as it meanders around the town. At the finishing line by the towns 'steps' there are amusements and refreshments as well as live music. 2011's event will be on Sunday 26th June. 
 

Olney Town Fireworks

The annual spectacular is held at Recreation Ground and is organised by TOG: The Olney Group (which also organises the Raft Race).