Organisers of an ancient festival dating back to the 1200’s are anticipating this year’s event to be the biggest in decades.
Taking place from Friday 4th to Sunday 13th October, this year’s Houghton Feast – which will celebrate local cultures – will boast its most packed schedule in recent history.
The announcement comes after local Labour councillors and the Houghton Feast Steering Committee backed an application by the organiser of the feast’s annual funfair to extend its opening times.
Typically taking place from Friday to the following Saturday, the application by Murphy’s Funfairs requested that the organisers be able to extend the funfair to also take place on the Sunday of the opening weekend, meaning it will take place over nine days as opposed to the usual eight.
John Henry Murphy, part owner of Murphy’s Funfairs, is the sixth generation of the family to host events as part of Houghton Feast and said this was the first time he can recall the fair being able to open as part of the Sunday programme.
He said: “This is a fantastic gesture from Sunderland City council and is sure to create another fun filled day for local families.
“Murphy’s funfairs really appreciate the hard work of all the local community members, including Councillor Kevin Johnston who has helped make this new Sunday opening possible.
“I have personally met and worked with some brilliant people over the years and it is those people we have to thank for Houghton Feast being one of the oldest events in the country. We are very proud to play our part in the festivities.”
Cllr Kevin Johnston chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Committee helped campaign for the extension of the fair through the introduction of the Sunday family fun day.
He said: “We are thrilled that our request to extend the events schedule for this year’s Houghton Feast has been granted.
“It’s not just a win for us, but for the entire community. Houghton Feast has been a tradition for generations, and hopefully the inclusion of more events on the Sunday is something we can factor into future events too as we continue to deliver an even bigger, better programme for people of all ages.
“I think I speak for the entire community when I say just how great it is to see everyone come together and we can’t wait for this year’s celebrations to get underway.”
Paul Lanagan, chair of the Houghton Heritage Society, said: “The addition of Sunday opening at the Houghton Feast fairground is an historic moment in the history of the festival.
“Rides for entertainment have been a feature of Houghton Feast for well over 150 years but it was the introduction of steam powered roundabouts in the 1880s that led to residents flocking to the Feast from far and wide.
“Back then, the only events taking place on a Sunday were the church services, and the new Sunday opening will now give families an extra opportunity to enjoy all the fun of the fair.”
The Houghton Feast opening ceremony will take place at 7pm on Friday 4th October, with pre-event entertainment beginning at 6pm in the form of face painting, silt walkers and balloon men.
A traditional Ox Roast will then take place on Saturday 5th October from 1pm, organised by the Houghton Feast Trust, with the Community Parade taking place from 2pm.
Fireworks and live music will take place on Monday night, starting at 7:30pm, with a series of community events throughout the week wrapping up the festivities.
The event is free to attend and residents can read the full itinerary here: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/media/33470/Houghton-Feast-2024-programme/pdf/Houghton_Feast_2024_Programme_of_Events.pdf?m=1726141292790