The annual Michaelmas Fair returned to St Ives on Monday.

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

In-keeping with hundreds of years of tradition, the mayor, Councillor Tim Drye, and fellow St Ives councillors handed out newly-minted coins to children to mark the occasion.

But the festivities took on a more modern twist as councillors then joined children from a ride on the dodgems, and some even enjoyed the waltzer and other fairground rides, too.

Joining town councillors on the day were mayors from surrounding towns, including Councillor Sarah Conboy, from Godmanchester, and Councillor Sarah Gifford, from Huntingdon.

The chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council, Councillor Richard West, also attended.

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

It is believed there has been a regular fair in St Ives of some kind since the 12th century, when Henry I granted a charter to the Abbot of Ramsey to hold a fair at Easter. The Michaelmas Fair is believed to have started in St Ives in the middle of the 14th century.

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Hunts Post: The annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANTThe annual Michaelmas celebrations in St Ives. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)