A fair was a market, in the center of a town or village, where merchants, traders and artisans came from the surrounding villages and hamlets, as well as from distant places, to sell their goods and see the goods of others. It was at the fairs that the most profitable and largest trade agreements were made, because not only businessmen from local towns and villages, but also foreign guests from distant countries came here. During the fair for the entertainment and refreshment of guests and buyers everywhere were sold sweets, fruit and drinks in stalls and trays, as well as by special peddlers.

At such fairs everyone sold what he wanted, the goods could be bagels and sugar pretzels, as well as livestock, poultry, pottery and weaving art and much more. It was a true paradise for artisans (cooperators, blacksmiths, potters, weavers), who spent the whole year preparing to show true masterpieces of their craft to the buyers. Masters of various trades also offered their services: shoemakers mended shoes, barbers shaved beards and cut hair, tailors mended clothes. Assorted jokers and clowns walked around the market, making people laugh, in order to entice the buyers.

In addition to the various trades at fairs were usually held various theatrical, musical entertainment events, organized farangs, cribbage, plays and skits with the participation of live bears, contests and various amusements.

A finger puppet was one of the obligatory characters of fair performances. It looked like a merry joker with not very nice appearance (he had a hump, a big nose, sharp features, a squeaky harsh voice), but with a very perky and mischievous character, an excellent sense of humor, which sometimes exceeded all limits, so very often this character got into various awkward situations and was not once hit for his very long tongue.

Any fair was a real holiday for ordinary people, which helped to distract from the hard work of everyday life, allowed to rest both mind and body. There was always an atmosphere of festivity and fun, music played, actors performed, folk songs and children’s laughter sounded.

Often at the fairs were held and various strength competitions, such as fist fights, involving usually physically developed men of all ages, regardless of position in society. They could be fought one-on-one, wall-to-wall, or in the form of a “clutch-row”. For men, this was one of their favorite pastimes, because it allowed them to show their strength, agility and courage, to “blow off steam” or even “knock the crap out of their heads” that had accumulated during their daily routine.