By Alan Irving

Published at 11:59, Thursday, 10 January 2013

EGREMONT’S Crab Fair, and in particular its world gurning championship, is one of the ‘ultimate’ national attractions in 2013.

That’s according to The Sun newspaper.

Sun correspondents take their pick of the places to be seen during the coming 12 months.

And in their opinion Egremont’s Crab Fair, headlined by the face-pulling gurning, is one of those places alongside a host of other national events “both exciting and odd”.

The ancient Crab Fair is held every September and The Sun reckons that the chance to see whether legendary champion Tommy Mattinson can win the title for the 15th time is too good to miss.

It’s right up there with Hollywood’s 85th Oscars ceremony (February), David Bowie getting immortalised at an exhibition in London (March), super hero Tom Cruise saving earth in alien war film Oblivion (April), and June’s anticipated birth of a royal baby for Kate and Wills.

The newspaper also includes the return of Glastonbury, with high expectations of the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac taking to the stage; November’s special 65th birthday treat for the Prince of Wales in Hyde Park, to be followed a week later by the BBC’s 50th anniversary Dr Who.

Oddities include International Pillow Fight day (April) and the World Pea Throwing Championship at Lewes, East Sussex (October).

Egremont Crab Fair, one of the country’s oldest and strangest customs, may be considered odd by some but, to the many who attend every year, it is enduringly irresistible. And The Sun clearly agrees.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk