How Goosey, the Goose Fair Goose became a Nottingham icon

But arguably the biggest of these highly-anticipated yearly happenings is the famous Goose Fair. 

Each October, the Forest Recreation Ground is illuminated by more than 250 rides and attractions, with hundreds of thousands of people in attendance. 

The Goose Fair has grown over the years to become one of the biggest travelling funfairs in Europe, having been staged annually in Nottingham since at least 1284. 

Read more: Love Nottingham

These days the fair’s dates are confirmed weeks in advance, but for many the festivities cannot truly begin until one specific thing has taken place. 

For decades the sight of Goosey, the Goose Fair goose has signalled the beginning of the week-long funfair. 

If you have no idea what we’re on about (are you even from Nottingham?), then allow us to explain how Goosey became engrained in the city’s folklore. 

It all began in the Swinging Sixties…

Goosey’s story started in the 1960s, when she was first installed on the Goose Fair Roundabout in Mansfield Road. 

Since then, the huge model has made annual appearances on the roundabout to mark the build-up to the funfair.

At 6ft 6ins tall and weighing a quarter of a tonne, it’s fair to say Goosey cuts a dominant figure on her red plinth and has no doubt caused a few near misses over the years as distracted drivers catch a glimpse of her. 

We’re not sure what you expected her to be made of, but it turns out that Goosey’s body is made from a combination of fiberglass and timber. 

Goosey has appeared on the roundabout every year since the ‘60s, except 2020 and 2021. 

With the Goose Fair cancelled due to the pandemic, Goosey swapped her usual roadside surroundings for Old Market Square in 2020 and 2021. 

She was even honoured with a specially-made plinth during her two flying visits to Old Market Square!

Thankfully, Goosey returned to her normal position in 2022 as the fair returned for the first time in three years. 

With Goosey now safely hibernating until autumn, we’re counting down the days until she reappears!