Organisers of Highgate’s Fair in the Square are urging traders to get involved as a date is set for the village’s biggest event of the year.

Come Saturday, June 14, Pond Square and South Grove will be adorned with balloons, bunting and banners and filled to bursting with nearly 10,000 people and more than 100 stalls.

The committee in charge of organising the fair has called on Highgate’s businesses to sign up for a stand by the end of the month to keep it as local as possible.

“We give priority to the local shops and they all get first choice of where they want to be situated,” said committee chair Veronica Day.

“Obviously, there are one or two things that are not local but we try to keep it as local as we can.

“I am always amazed by how many local businesses there are around Highgate, with people trying things I wouldn’t even think of.”

Historic Lauderdale House, in Waterlow Park and High Street traders Spirited Wines and Winkworths estate agents have already signed up for a stall.

But not all of the village’s businesses support the annual festivities, which date back to the first Pond Square fairs 300 years ago.

Robert Sinfield, of High Street chocolate shop Le Chocolatier, said the fair causes havoc on the busiest day of the week for trade.

“I’m not against it in principle but I feel it would be better if they did it on a Sunday because it causes so much disruption,” said Mr Sinfield, who has owned Le Chocolatier for 16 years.

“If they did it on a Sunday, we wouldn’t have to open because we don’t really gain anything from it but our regulars come in from outside of the area, drive up here and find they can’t park and so they return without buying anything.”

Phyllis Harper, of Highgate Butchers, added: “I don’t know why they don’t put it on a Sunday.

“We can’t join in because we work and people keep saying, why don’t you take a stall?

“But I don’t believe in taking fresh meat onto the street.”

Mrs Day said the fair cannot be held on a Sunday because the festival uses space belonging to United Reformed Church, St Michael’s Church and the Highgate Society, in South Grove, which all have events and services on Sundays.

The Fair in the Square committee needs more than 100 volunteers to help prepare for the festivities, sponsored by Litchfields estate agents, before and on the day.

The 20-strong team is also seeking donations and sponsorship to help fund the £20,000 event.

To volunteer email thefairinthesquare@gmail.com with “volunteers” in the subject line.

n To donate or to sign up for a stall, visit www.fairinthesquare.co.uk