Fun of the Fair

With just a few days to go you should know by now that we are hosting the infamous Secret Vintage fair at Colchester Town Hall in the High Street in an iconic baroque building with plenty of history and grandeur. Taking place on 25^th April 2015, foor open at 10:30!

TOWN HALL.

A focal point in central Colchester, the Town Hall makes an impressive venue for the event from the moment you arrive, as you step in and sashay up the Italian marble staircase to explore and probe merchandise from our traders, watch the performances and indulge in the catering specially prepared for the Secret Vintage Fair.

 ENTERTAINMENT

Our aim being to cover more than just one traditional era or style to bring a dose of vintage with a modern twist. Our trusty host throughout the day is the glamorous Talluah Goodtimes who will be playing and announcing other acts and musicians to keep our guests amused.  DJ Tallulah Goodtimes is the Queen of the Goodtimes Swing, an accomplished Elcectro-Swing DJ who expertly mixes vintage classics with modern electro beats. This talented lass also sings, so as well as hearing her tunes and introductory dulcet tones, we’ll get a blast from her lungs.

Watch out for new family friendly Burlesque group, showcasing a completely non-risque routine perfectly suitable for young eyes, plus folksy jazz duo The Twisty Turns.

There’s no better way to showcase some of our vintage clothing sellers than with a live fashion show.  Visitors will be treated to a selection of the best looks and styles from the past brought straight to the catwalk. Outfits will of course be available to buy direct from the seller and we’ll be flagging them all so you know exactly who to go to. The fashion show will be hosted by the delectable Alice D’Lumiere from ‘Nothing Up Our Sleeves’.

REFRESHMENTS

There will be a vintage style tea room presented by local business Ruby’s Vintage Tea Party who will be stocked up with a delicious variety of cakes and treats, light lunches, traditional teas and coffees.

For those partial to something a little stronger there will be an artisan vegan organic real ale bar propped up by the award winning Pitfield Brewery. Enjoy a selection of guilt-free bottled beers and ales on tap as this thoughtful and environmentally friendly company work their way to operating as a carbon neutral business.

BEST DRESSED

We will be holding a ‘Best Dressed’ competition on the day. Those interested in taking part can put themselves forward although we’ll be buttonholing the lookers ourselves! Enter for £1, all of which goes to The Tom Bowdidge Foundation, your photo will be taken for memory and social media purposes. The Best Dressed shortlist will be selected by our judges and announced on our Facebook page the following week. Likes and votes for favourites will be taken into account before the final decision is made. The victor will receive a £20 voucher for East Coast Diner, VIP entrance to the next Secret Vintage Fair where they can have a professional photograph taken by SJR Photography.

CHARITY SUPPORT

We are pleased to be supporting the Tom Bowdidge Foundation this year. A locally based charitable trust launched by Tom’s parents, Richard and Nikki on the anniversary of his 20th birthday. Tom died of a desmoplastic small round cell tumour and extensive peritoneal disease in October 2013, at the young age of 19. Headquartered in Colchester the Foundation’s goal is to raise funds to support research projects and to provide physical and emotional support to teenagers and young people with cancer. More info can be found at the website.  We hope to raise as much money as we can for this magnificent foundation through a proportion of the door fee takings, donations given to the team onsite, an organised raffle, Best Dress competition and a percentage of sales from other onsite activity.

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday 25th April, doors open at 10:30am – 16:00pm, with the first 25 visitors through the door given a special goody bag featuring gifts and discounts from sellers on the day. The entrance fee is just £3 (with a proporation going to our chosen charity), accompanied under 15s go free, plus watch for the special discount voucher in The Gazette prior to the event to receive £1 off entry.