A TRADITIONAL village fete with a unique twist returns to mid Cheshire on Saturday, July 11.

Moulton Crow Fair takes place at the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee playing field, in Main Road, from 1pm, followed by an evening of live music and a firework display.

Entertainment throughout the afternoon includes more than 30 stalls and activities, Stone the Crows Morris Troupe, Well Heeled Dogs training, Maypole dancers and a taekwondo display, along with the famous dance from the Moulton Crow Men.

The inimitable crow dance is performed by village men, whose identities are disguised, and dates back to out-of-work salt workers in the 1920s who won so many competitions at fetes and fairs across the area that organisers eventually just paid them to perform.

The Guardian spoke to Scare Crow, a central character in the dance, in an exclusive interview as he prepares for the big day.

"To get ready for the fair I have to make sure my outfit is fitting and that I replenish my straw, it's very important and I really have to look at my scary best," he said.

"Heat can be a problem because my outfit is a thick shirt, dungarees, a pair of boots and my hat, and then all my straw – it gets very hot.

"The hardest part of the day for me is standing still but the main aim is to try to fool the kids – though you'd be surprised how many adults don't realise I'm a live scarecrow and it's quite funny, I think a few have been quite shocked."

Stalls on the day include crafts, games and a variety of refreshments, there will also be full body zorbing, bungee run, surf simulator and fairground rides.

At 6pm live music will start on the field and the day ends at 10pm with a firework display by Nemesis Fireworks.

Angela Capstick, from the organising committee, said: "The committee would like to acknowledge and thank those who support us through their sponsorship; Cranage Haulage, Dave Wakefield Maintenance Services, Bovis Homes and private sponsors Bernard Barnes and Dave Evans."

The run up to the Crow Fair will see the village again taken over by Scarecrows for this year’s Scarecrow competition, the winner of which will be announced at the event.

Maps of the scarecrow trail can be obtained from Moulton Co-op, in Whitlow Lane.

For more information visit facebook.com/moultoncrowfair