Welcome to Hurst Life’s St Lawrence Fair event page. Here you will find our most recent information for everything regarding the fair.

Since the 14th century, the village of Hurstpierpoint has celebrated the Feast of St Lawrence with a village fair. The fair is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

What a fabulous Fair weekend!

By Lona McDonald

Once again, our village turned out in force once to celebrate one of the longest-running fairs in the country - and what a celebration it was! A glorious sunny weekend which added to the festive feel; thanks to Harris’s Old Tyme Amusements for sharing this with us again.

A special shoutout goes to all our incredible volunteers and supporters, who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm - whether putting up posters, helping set up, marshalling roads, tidying up at the end, providing food and drink - we owe you a HUGE thank you, we really couldn’t do it without you!

We also couldn’t do this without financial support, a big part of which comes from our amazing sponsors who advertise with us in the programme. In particular, I’d like to thank our main sponsors this year, Chatt Estates, Sussex Stoneworks, Haydenswan Eyecare, Earlswood Homes, Hawthorn Vets, Hurstpierpoint Society and PSP Homes. An additional thanks toes to the Parish Council and Hurstpierpoint Community Charity Shop for their generous grants.

Whilst we are a small committee, it actually takes a village to make the fair the success it is. And we are recruiting! We would welcome new committee members, and also volunteers who are happy to help us out throughout the year and in particular over fair weekend itself. If you’re interested or would like to find out more, please get in touch by email at stlawrencefair@gmail.com…we look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, once again, to our incredible village for making the fair what it is - a true celebration of amazing community spirit. Wishing you all a lovely summer, and looking forward to 2027!

St Lawrence Fair – a crib sheet

With the Fair just around the corner, we thought we would summarise timings and the procession route, so that everyone can enjoy this wonderful event to the full. On Friday 3rd from 12.30pm to 2.30pm there is the Teddy Bear’s Picnic at the South Avenue Rec. Also, for the young ones later that evening, from 5.30pm to 6.45pm, it is the Junior Disco. Alongside this from 6pm – 10.30pm, it is Hurst Band Night, in what has become a traditional lively Friday night event on the Rec.

On Saturday 4th, road closures on the High Street will be in place with advance notices. The processions leave Marchant Road at 1pm, accompanied by a peal of bells, and goes down Cuckfield Road, up Western Road and then up the High Street to South Avenue. Can all those residents on the route please find temporary parking off road, to ensure a safe passage for the parade.

The arena stalls and Fun Fair opens at 12noon and then follows a Burgess Hill Musical Theatre Society performance at 12.45pm. At 1.30pm, the Fun Run starts from the Village Green. At 2pm, the procession arrives in the arena with prize presentations for best dressed. Create Space Studios perform at 2.30pm, Fun Run prize giving at 3pm, Agnes M Dance perform at 3.20pm and the Tug of War starts at 3.45pm. The raffle draw winner is announced at 4.40pm and the Grand Finale, with audience participation at 4.45pm.

Full details are in the St Lawrence Fair leaflet distributed with Hurst Life last month. Have a great and safe Fair day!

St. Lawrence Fair is fast approaching…

By Lona McDonald

Hello, Hurstpierpoint! St Lawrence Fair is almost upon us – 3rd and 4th July – we hope you’re looking forward to it as much as we are. Preparations are well under way, and there will be lots going on in the lead up to and over fair weekend, so have a look at the details below and in the Fair Programme (which is being distributed with this edition of Hurst Life to Hurstpierpoint residents) - a huge thank you to the Hurst Life team for organising this.

Stall holders: there are still some slots available - to book please get in touch at stlawrencefair.stalls@ gmail.com; we’d love to see you at the Fair. Procession entries: local groups of any age, young or grown up, we’d love you to be a part of one of the oldest Fairs in the country; it’s not too late to register - please drop us an email at slf.procession@gmail.com; the theme of ‘festivals from around the world’ offers lots of options!

Throughout June, wander along the High Street and sample some delicious food and drink from our wonderful High Street venues taking part in the St Lawrence Fair Food & Drink Trail - see the programme for more details.

If you go down to the High Street today…can you spot all of the named Teddy Bears in our Teddy Bear Trail? Entry forms available on our website, from a couple of High Street shops (TBC) and the library.

Back again this year, the ever-popular Dog Show, sponsored by Heath Vets, will be held at the Scout HQ on Sunday 21st June, 11.30am.

Tug of war: always a crowd favourite in the arena, this is your chance to get a team together and be part of a friendly competition - will the reigning champs, Bridgers Farm, return to defend their title? Whether you’re representing your workplace, a pub, club or just rounding up a team of mates, we’d love to have you on the rope. Drop us an email at stlawrencefair.com to register your team’s interest.

Finally, a huge thank you to our main sponsors: Chatt Estates, PSP Homes, Sussex Stoneworks, Hawthorne Vets, HPP Society, Hayden Swan Opticians and Earlswood Homes. And all our other sponsors, advertisers, volunteers and helpers; your generosity, support and time given ensures the Fair goes ahead for another year!

We look forward to seeing you over Fair weekend (3rd-4th July)!