200 years in sight for Richmond Village Fair

TASMANIA’S oldest continuing village fair will celebrate 199 years since its establishment on Sunday 26 March.

For nearly two centuries, the Richmond Colonial Village Fair has showcased the best of the Coal River Valley region.

The popular annual event will have more than 40 stalls selling food and beverages from the area, plus local arts and crafts and homemade baked goods.

Richmond Village Fair and Events committee publicity officer Margaret Reynolds said the Fair was a testament to the longevity of the region.

“We have traced back through Tasmanian archives and the first mentions of an agricultural society being formed was in the 1830s,” she said, “meaning that events like the Richmond Colonial Village Fair have been held for nearly 200 years.”

Ms Reynolds said the fair was an opportunity for young and old to come together and celebrate.

“There are rides and entertainment for people of all ages including novelty races, wood chopping, face painting, a homecrafts competition and the inaugural ‘Richmond’s Got Talent’ competition,” she said.

The Richmond Village Fair committee also coordinates the local Anzac Day service, Christmas Carols and a number of other community events.

The committee will manage the bicentenary celebrations