Hundreds of people turned out for one of Clevedon’s biggest events of the year.

North Somerset Times: Yvie and Oscar playing with the old-fashioned hoopla. Picture: Jeremy Long.Yvie and Oscar playing with the old-fashioned hoopla. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

The St Nicholas Fair was held on Thursday night and saw the town come alive as the magic of Christmas was celebrated.

Fairground rides, street performances, a festive market and more made it a special night for the town.

Father Christmas even managed to find a gap in his busy schedule to make a flying visit.

Sam Harrison, of DM Events, said the night could hardly have gone any better.

North Somerset Times: The spinning fairground ride was a hit with parents and children. Picture: Jeremy Long.The spinning fairground ride was a hit with parents and children. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

He said: “It was a great evening, with our elf bouncing around on her stilts and fire-spinning along with the magic show.

“The night had a feeling of magic all night long.

“Clevedon Lions did a brilliant job running Santa’s Grotto this year, with all the emergency services coming along and meeting and talking to the public.

“It was nice to see the children getting to look inside of the engines.”

North Somerset Times: Leila and her brother Clem enjoyed the rides. Picture: Jeremy Long.Leila and her brother Clem enjoyed the rides. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

An outdoors event in December always carries an element of risk – as Sunday’s snow demonstrated – but the fair went without a hitch.

Sam said: “The weather was the best we have had after bringing the fair back in 2015.

“This year’s event went so well.”

While many people’s attention is firmly fixed on Christmas, for Sam though his mind has already turned to making the fair as spectacular next year.

North Somerset Times: Beavers Braydon, Leon and Arthur with Michele from 2nd Nailsea Scouts. Picture: Jeremy Long.Beavers Braydon, Leon and Arthur with Michele from 2nd Nailsea Scouts. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

He said plans for the 2018 fair are already underway and stall-holders will soon be able to book pitches online at www.stnicholasfayre.co.uk

Sam added: “I will be looking for more local businesses to get involved with the sponsorship of the fair and get a chance to be noticed within the community.

“But, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone: stall-holders, shop owners, the team and most of all the public in coming out and showing their support.

“If I do say so, this is the best community event in Clevedon over the winter season.

North Somerset Times: Overgrown the Elf showed off some impressive fire tricks. Picture: Jeremy Long.Overgrown the Elf showed off some impressive fire tricks. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

“Every penny to run the fair came from sponsorship, as well as the stall-holders and some of the shops along the road.

“Without their support this fantastic event could not be put on.”

North Somerset Times: Clevedon Lions welcomed Father Christmas to town. Picture: Jeremy Long.Clevedon Lions welcomed Father Christmas to town. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

North Somerset Times: Clevedon Lions welcomed Father Christmas to town. Picture: Jeremy Long.Clevedon Lions welcomed Father Christmas to town. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

North Somerset Times: Choral songs were sung. Picture: Jeremy Long.Choral songs were sung. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)

North Somerset Times: John Willis singing to the crowd. Picture: Jeremy Long.John Willis singing to the crowd. Picture: Jeremy Long. (Image: (C)2016 Jeremy Long / JCLPhotography, all rights reserved)