ELY’S first Youth Fair will start with a spectacular surprise on the city’s Market Place, and continue to offer an afternoon of great live music and dance, organisers have promised.

Ely Standard: Ely Youth FairEly Youth Fair (Image: Archant)

“We want everyone to get there for 1.30pm to see the big surprise, which is being kept secret until the day,” said volunteer event co-ordinator Mark Cooney. “We think it will be a great start to the fair.”

After the big event, entertainment will continue on the Market Place, with performances by Ely song writer Will Law - known as Just William - as well as Fenland Jam.

Will, 20, is currently celebrating the release of his first album, titled Way Back When. Also performing during the afternoon will be Soham Fenlander Majorettes, followed by dancers from the Octagon Dance Studios.

The Ely Youth Fair - which celebrates the launch of the new Ely Youth website - has a second venue at the Paradise Centre, where a number of different groups associated with youth in Ely will be exhibiting, including ADeC, the Air Training Corps, The Lantern Dance Company and Ely Youth Choir. There will also be some demonstrations, and refreshments available.

When the Market Place entertainment finishes about 4pm, Just William and Fenland Jam will move across to the Paradise Centre to continue entertaining the crowd until around 7pm.

Youngsters are being encouraged to sign up for newsletters on the new Ely Youth website, www.elyyouth.com, and everyone who has subscribed will be in the running to win a bicycle, donated by Tesco. The draw is due to take place at the Paradise Centre at 7pm.

The youth fair is an ambitious project led by former mayor of Ely, Councillor John Yates, and deputy major, Councillor Elaine Griffin-Singh, backed by Mark Cooney and web site designer Luke Smith.