Tempting fetes
Above:
Alphamstone Fete
Upper Green, Alphamstone
Monday, May 26
Noon to 4pm
The Alphamstone Fete is a traditional village fete with many different stalls and numerous sideshows including a coconut shy, nail banging, marbles and throwing balls at the clown.
Fete full attraction Look out for special donkey rides
St Margaret’s Church Garden Fete
The Green, Stanford-le-Hope
Monday, May 26, 2pm to 5pm
This community event has been running for more than 100 years and offers traditional, family-oriented games such as bowl for a pig, plus a more modern bouncy castle. For refreshment try the BBQ, curry stall, fresh cakes, ice lollies or candyfloss.
Fete full attraction Trips up the church tower offer amazing local views
Twinstead St John’s Garden Fete & Wildflower Walk
Twinstead Manor
Saturday, June 7
2pm to 5pm
There will be various stalls selling a variety of produce and goods plus cream teas. All proceeds from the afternoon are in aid of St John’s Church.
Fete full attraction Try the raffle or tombola if you are feeling lucky
St James Church Fete
High Street, Brightlingsea
Saturday, June 7
10am to noon
St James Church will be holding a summer church fete on the meadow at the church. Attractions include a bouncy castle, plant stall, cake stall and refreshments.
Fete full attraction Look out for musical entertainment from local musicians and the Girls Brigade Marching Band
Garden Fete & Vintage Rally
Woodhall, Chignal Smealey, Chelmsford
Saturday, June 7, 1pm to 5pm
Take a step back in time with this chance to see classic cars and experience a traditional garden fete.
Fete full attraction Admission to this great family day out is absolutely free
St Osyth Open Gardens
June 14 and 15
11am to 5pm
There will be 20 varied gardens open over the weekend plus a variety of other attractions including alpacas, spinning, model and garden railways and an art show.
Fete full attraction Visitors will also be able to see a farm and animal sanctuary
School Summer Fete and Flower Festival
Hatfield Heath
June 14 and 15
On Saturday the School Summer Fete takes place from noon to 2.30pm. Holy Trinity Church hosts refreshments and stalls on Saturday with the Flower Festival taking place on Sunday. The Hatfield Heath Festival, on the Sunday, offers a fun run, a classic car show, a fun dog show, a children’s fun fair, falconry and music.
Fete full attraction On Sunday there will be an art on show and a history exhibition
Middleton Open Gardens and Fete
Sunday, June 22
noon to 4pm
There will be seven gardens open plus cream teas and fresh strawberries on offer, a plant sale, cake stall, tombola and raffle with a luxury summer hamper to be won.
Fete full attraction The village is accessible from the Stour Valley footpath
South Weald Patronal Festival Weekend
June 27 to 29
This three-day festival takes place throughout South Weald. On the Saturday there will be a fete held at the school from 2pm to 5pm. The church will be open on Saturday and Sunday with flower displays, music and refreshments.
Fete full attraction There will be free transport from outside Topps Tiles
St John’s Moulsham Summer Fete
Moulsham Street, Chelmsford
Saturday, June 28
11.30am to 4pm
Despite this parish lying within Chelmsford, this annual summer fete is just like a village event
Fete full attraction All proceeds go to church funds
St Andrew’s Annual Summer Fete
Colworth Road, Leytonstone
Saturday, June 28
11am to 4pm
Arts and craft stalls, music and entertainment and food served all day.
Fete full attraction The Blackhorse and Standard North West Morris Dancers
The Great Bentley Carnival and Fete
Saturday, June 28
12.30pm to late
The Great Bentley Carnival and Fete takes place on the largest village green in the country. A fun fair will be running on the green from 3pm and in the evening there will an open mike event.
Fete full attraction The green is so big you can even park there for free
Little Baddow Summer Fete
Chapel Field
Sunday, July 6
Noon to 5pm
Little Baddow is holding its first traditional fete at Chapel Field. Jimmy Greaves will open the event after a procession of scarecrows starting from Aldermanburgh at 11.15am.
Fete full attraction A craft tent will show rural crafts including willow weaving and a blacksmith’s smithy
Mid-summer Music Festival
Millennium Park, Blackmore
July 12 and 13
Saturday, from 5.30pm, and Sunday, 5pm
Hear Souled Out and the Bash Street Band on Saturday followed by the
Essex Yeomanry Band and the Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society on Sunday.
Fete full attraction Family tickets (two adults and three children) at £50 on Saturday and £35 on Sunday offer great value
St Osyth Flower Festival
August 23 to 25
11am to 5pm
This year’s theme is the history of the priory and church.
Fete full attraction Refreshments will be available throughout the weekend
Great Bentley Village Show
Saturday, August 30
The Great Bentley Village show takes place in a marquee on the famous green and includes a dog show and teas available throughout the afternoon.
Fete full attraction You can still park for free on the green
Wickham St Paul’s Country Fayre
Saturday, September 6
10.30am to 4pm
Wickham St Paul’s Country Fayre will be taking place on the village green, in the village hall and at All Saints Church.
Fete full attraction A dog show offers added entertainment
Great Bentley 15th Annual Flower Festival & Art Exhibition
September 6 and 7
Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 11am to 5pm
Great Bentley’s flower festival and art exhibition take place at St Mary’s Church with refreshments available throughout the day.
Fete full attraction There is even the chance to exhibit your own artwork, call 01206 251506.
Flower Festival
St Edmund, Abbess Roding
September 13 and 14
To raise funds for the up-keep of the church, the harvest festival is combined with a flower festival.
Fete full attraction Saturday sees a dog show and on Sunday the primary school choir sing
Annual Festival
Nicholas Church, Laindon
September 13 and 14
St Nicholas Church hosts Footsteps through Laindon, a festival including flower displays, historic photographs of Laindon and demonstrations from local organisations.
Fete full attraction For the feel of a traditional fete, look out for the craft stalls and refreshments