The Hoppings is held on the Town Moor in Newcastle upon Tyne during the last week in June. It is recognised to be Europe's largest travelling fun fair.
Several origins have been suggested for the name. Most relate to dancing, the word "hopping" meaning a dance in Middle English (Old fairs included dancing). Another idea stems from the clothing which the travellers use to wear; that being of old, sack like tops and pants. Clothing often became infested with fleas from the animals that travelled with the fair. People were often seen 'jumping' or 'hopping' about itching from the bites which they received. Or the name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "hoppen" meaning funfair.
The fair began as a Temperance Fair in 1882. It was scheduled to coincide with Race Week at Newcastle Racecourse, during which the Northumberland Plate was awarded.
The fair took place at Jesmond Dene from 1914 - 1918 and returned to the more spacious Town Moor, just north of the city centre, in 1919. There was no Festival on the Moor between 1920 and 1923, but it returned in June 1924, where it continued annually until 1946; a non-Showmen's Guild Fair was held that year but proved to be unpopular. The Guild showmen returned in 1947 and the Hoppings was a success with a record attendance; it has been held, uninterrupted, on the Town Moor ever since.[1]
It has over 60 large rides and many more kids rides and stalls - everything from rollercoasters and funhouses to teacups and big wheels, fortune tellers and many food vans.
The dates for the 2011 Hoppings are 17-25 June.