PA hire for fetes and village shows
A battery-powered PA for summer fetes, village shows and country fairs. It carries clear speech and music from the main ring out to the furthest stalls, so an announcement reaches everyone on the field — comfortable for crowds up to {{CROWD_SIZE}}. Anyone on the committee can pick up a handheld radio microphone and speak from anywhere on the ground, up to {{MIC_RANGE}} from the speakers: raffle results, a lost child, a change to the running order. It runs off its own battery for {{RUNTIME_HOURS}} on a charge, so there is no mains or generator to sort out in the middle of a field. Hire is {{PRICE_FETES}}, set up and tested before the gates open.
Before you book
What show committees ask first
Will it be heard across the whole showground?
Yes. The speakers go on stands and throw sound from the main ring to the refreshment tent and the far stalls. It is set up for the size of your ground and comfortable for crowds up to {{CROWD_SIZE}}.
Can our announcers walk around with a microphone?
Yes. It comes with a handheld radio microphone that works anywhere on the field, up to {{MIC_RANGE}} from the speakers. Pass it between whoever is announcing, with no trailing cable and no standing by a lectern.
Do we need power or a generator?
No. The whole system runs off its own battery for {{RUNTIME_HOURS}} on a charge. You do not need mains, an extension lead or a generator, which helps when the ground is just a field.
What does it cost?
Hire for a fete or show is {{PRICE_FETES}}, including delivery, setup and testing. Smaller jobs start lower — see Speaker hire for the floor price.
The kit
What turns up on the day
Two speakers on stands, a battery to run them, and radio microphones for your announcements. That is the whole kit.
Speakers on stands
Active speakers raised on stands so the sound clears the crowd instead of getting lost in it. Placed to cover the ring and the stalls, and run from a battery that sits out of the way.
Handheld radio microphones
A handheld radio mic to pass around the committee, with a clip-on lapel mic or a lectern mic if you would rather have hands free for prize-giving or a welcome speech.
Being heard
Heard from the main ring to the far stalls
One system, or spread across the ground
For a compact field, one pair of speakers by the ring covers it. For a larger showground I can space the speakers so the beer tent and the outer stalls hear announcements as clearly as the ring does.
Clear enough for words, not just music
The sound is tuned so announcements stay easy to understand over a busy crowd — names at a prize-giving, a stall number, a safety notice — rather than turning to mush at the back.
Background music between announcements
Plug in a phone, laptop or a small mixer and run a playlist, a brass band or a PA feed through the same speakers, then break in with the microphone whenever you need to.
On the microphone
Announcements your committee can make
Raffle results and prize-giving
Hand the microphone to whoever is drawing the raffle or presenting the cups. It reaches the whole field, so people at the far stalls hear their number called and can come forward.
Lost children and safety notices
When a child is separated from their family, or a car needs moving, one announcement reaches everyone on the ground in seconds — the quickest way to sort it out.
Keeping the schedule to time
Call the next event, cue the arena and let stallholders and visitors know what is happening when, so the dog show, the tug-of-war and the band all start when they should.
On the day
Simple on the day, wherever you are
Set up before the gates open
I arrive early, position the speakers, and test everything before the public comes in, so the first announcement works as well as the last.
Run it for you, or hand you the mic
I can stay and run the sound through the day, or set it up, show your announcer how it works and leave you to it — whichever suits the committee.
Buxton, the Peak District and beyond
I am based in Buxton and cover fetes and shows across the Peak District and the surrounding towns. Further afield is fine by arrangement — just say where you are.
The detail
Kit and specifications
See the full kit list
- Speakers: battery-powered active speakers on stands, positioned to cover the ground.
- Coverage: comfortable for crowds up to {{CROWD_SIZE}}.
- Microphones: handheld radio microphone reaching up to {{MIC_RANGE}}, plus lapel and lectern options.
- Power: self-contained battery giving {{RUNTIME_HOURS}} on a charge, with no mains or generator needed.
- Music: 3.5mm, RCA or mixer input for a phone, laptop, band or PA feed.
- Setup: delivery, setup and testing before your event opens, then pack-down afterwards.
- Insurance: {{PL_INSURANCE}}.
Questions
Fetes and shows: common questions
Can you cover a whole showground, not just the ring?
Yes. The speakers can sit by the main ring or spread across the ground so the far stalls and the refreshment tent hear announcements clearly. It is comfortable for crowds up to {{CROWD_SIZE}}.
Can our own committee make the announcements?
Yes. There is a handheld radio microphone to pass around, working anywhere on the field up to {{MIC_RANGE}} from the speakers. I will show whoever needs it how to use it.
Do we need power or a generator in the field?
No. It runs off its own battery for {{RUNTIME_HOURS}} on a charge, so there is nothing to plug in and no generator to hire.
What happens if it rains?
The kit sits under a gazebo or the edge of a marquee, out of the wet, and the day carries on. It just needs a covered spot to stand in.
Can we play music between announcements?
Yes. Plug in a phone, laptop or mixer and run background music, a band or a PA feed through the same speakers, then break in with the mic when you need to.
How much does it cost?
Hire for a fete or show is {{PRICE_FETES}}, including delivery, setup and testing. Smaller jobs start lower, and the floor price is on the Speaker hire page.
How far will you travel?
I am based in Buxton and cover the Peak District and nearby towns. I will travel further by arrangement — tell me where the event is and I will let you know.
Will you stay for the whole day?
I can run the sound through the day, or set it up and hand it over to your announcer. Either way it is tested and working before the gates open.
Get a quote
Tell me about your fete or show
Four quick details and I will come back with a price and confirm I am free for your date.
See also: Speaker hire and PA for races and outdoor sport.