The article examines the historical roots of Leisure Fair in Russia. Par with fair trade and forms of market relations peculiarities of running fairground forms of culture are reviewed. In view of the close trade relations between Russia and Europe, it is clear that the forms of trade fairs and business features were borrowed from Europe. Together with fair trade and forms of market relations in peculiarities of Russia could be found numerous spectacular and game forms of European culture as fun game puppet shows, circus acts with animals, performances of jugglers and acrobats. At one level, theatrical guests with sales representatives have made significant changes and influence on the development of free trade and fair areal holidays in Russia. At the same time, art is not art only but also goods. Thus, on a par with traditional, unheard and unseen played a major role in street art. The uniqueness of Russian culture was just in ability to take all of New England, Poland, Romania, France, Holland and adapt a combination of different genres on Russian soil. Fair for the Russian people was perceived as a holiday with freedom of speech, equality, uncontrollable laughter. A puppet theater was in special demand on the fairgrounds, it could be considered one of the most striking phenomena of culture. Variety of forms and types of puppet theaters in St. Petersburg aroused great interest among the public. At fairs and festivals especially popular performances of petrushechniks. Comedy was unprecedented condemning the power of laughter. Popularity puppet comedy was so great that the inspired writers, poets, composers, playwrights used Petrushka dolls for their works. M. Gorky, N. Nekrasov, F. Dostoevsky enthusiastically wrote about Petrushka. I. Stravinsky turned to comedy theater Petrushka in creative works. Thus, there has been some retail space spread that mixes commerce and entertainment. Incredible combination of all sorts of entertainment and commercial transactions did not only trade at the fair, but was a kind of spiritual center, which combined tastes and customs of the people.

Статья рассматривает исторические корни возникновения ярмарочного досуга в России. Вместе с ярмарочными формами торговли и особенностями ведения рыночных отношений рассматриваются зрелищно-игровые формы ярмарочной культуры. В частности, особое внимание уделяется специфике кукольного театра как одному из ярких феноменов ярмарочной культуры.