According to a blog written by Cllr Russell Downe, once Mayor Of Llantwit Major, the first Victorian Fair Day was held in 1981, as the town's contribution to the National Year of the Castle held throughout Wales. The idea was to give an impression of the village, as it was 100 years ago.
From the first, the date selected for the event was the nearest Saturday to June 22nd. which is the traditional 'Annwl Day' an event exclusive to Llantwit Major and which commemorates the Middle Ages event when Colyn Dolphyn, a notorious Bristol Channel Pirate, was surprised by local men on Cwm Colhugh Beach. He was overcome and dragged up to the town to meet his death.
Apparently the celebration lapsed some time at the start of this century and this superb opportunity of the fair was taken to resurrect one of the real traditions of the Vale.