The 2nd Saturday in September is the date for the annual Newent Onion Fayre. The Onion Fayre came into being in the 12th Century when King Henry III (often resident in nearby Gloucester), granted Newent a market and 2 annual fayres by charter.
The associated onion eating competition is now in its 20th year and the festival has grown each year, so that it is now a full day of celebration throughout all the streets of Newent, followed by an after party 'Onionfest'.
The entire base of the Market Hall is piled with sackfuls of onions ready to be strung by dexterous fingers. There are onion growing and onion arrangement competitions and lots of strange food containing onions. Its a day of celebration, live music, Morris dancing, fun fairs and raw onion tears.
