Winchester's hat fair launched by unicyclist (From This is Hampshire)

Winchester's hat fair launched by unicyclist

2:14pm Monday 15th June 2009 in

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IT started off as a small busker’s event 35 years ago.

Now thousands of people are expected to descend on Winchester next month as the city welcomes back the annual Hat Fair.

This year’s event will offer four fun-filled days with hundreds of breath-taking performances from over 40 national and international companies along the city’s ancient streets.

Named after the tradition of throwing donations into performers’ hats, the free festival was launched at the Hotel du Vin with a performance by Mario Queen of the Circus.

The fair is the UK’s longest running street theatre festival and is expected to bring in around £1m to the city.

Highlights this year include Los Dos Play, an acrobatic comedy act from Spain and the return of Winchester favourites Heliosphere.

The fair runs from Thursday July 2 to Sunday July 5.