Chesterfield’s 1940s Market returns during half term with entertainment and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Taking place on Thursday 27 October between 10am and 4pm, visitors can enjoy 40s music, entertainment, exhibits and meet the stall holders in period dress.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’ve put together a great package of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Our 1940s Market gets bigger every year and I hope lots of you will come along this half term to support the event and our fantastic market traders.”
Activities
New for 2022 is a Home Guard encampment in the Crooked Spire Churchyard with reenactors ready to talk about the role of the Home Guard and demonstrate the equipment they used. At 11am and 2pm they will be putting on Drill sessions for children where kids can learn marching moves.
Chesterfield Museum will be taking over one of the units in the Pavements Centre where they will be running an activity about rationing and letting visitors engage with history using their handling objects.
They will be joined by Wessex Archaeology who will be running a workshop all day where you can design and print 1940s inspired tiles. Up an’ at ‘em History will also be here running an activity where you can learn about historic bomb disposal and have a go using some dummy World War Two bombs.
Around the Market Place there will be displays about the Land Army, historic mining, and Post Offices through the years. A selection of vintage vehicles including an historic fire engine will be on display too.
The weekly Flea Market will take place across both Market Square and New Square, with traders encouraged to get into the 40s spirit by donning period costumes. There will be prizes for the best dressed trader.
Entertainment
The ever-popular Kalamazoo Dance Band will be performing in New Square at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm – there will be plenty of space for you to dance along.
Singing trio, The Daisy Belles will be wowing crowds Outside Etienne Curtains and Blinds at 10.15am, 12.15pm and 1.45pm.
In Rykneld Square next to the Visitor Information Centre, singer Johnny Victory will be performing at 10.45am, 1.10pm and 3pm. Singer Jayne Darling will be performing at 10am, 11.30am and 2pm.
Outside Santander singer Natasha Harper will be performing at 10.30am, 12.10pm and 1.30pm. Kyle Evans will also be singing at 11.20am, 1pm and 2.10pm.
An escape artist will perform in the Market Place at 10.45am, 1pm and 3pm.
Tours of the Crooked Spire will be taking place at 10.30am and 2.30pm. Tours cost £8 for adults and £5 for under 16s.
The 1940’s Market is a free event that aims to bring more visitors and shoppers to the town centre to support local businesses and market traders.
There is lots of parking available in Chesterfield during the event, full details of both council owned and private car parks on the car parks page.
Visitors are also being encouraged to use public transport to attend the event, options available include trains and busses.