In 1836, magistrates chose to save costs by employing 14 members of the Metropolitan Police, who were provided with accommodations and received a payment of 5 shillings each, instead of relying on special constables. An additional ten men were supplied by the Lord of the Manor. Notices indicated that all booths and displays needed to be dismantled before Saturday night.

One trader set up a water cart to sell spring water at two pence a glass, which proved to be profitable. With the sunny weather and rising temperatures, sales increased significantly.

The Evening Chronicle noted that festivities continued through Sunday evening, stating, "The sports and pastimes were extremely rational, and the order and simplicity with which the amusements and recreations of the vast assemblage of the people conducted themselves would have commanded the approbation of even Sir Andrew Agnew."

In the boxing ring, Tom Smith, known as “the East End Sailor,” faced William Phelps, dubbed “Brighton Bill,” who attracted attention due to having previously killed an opponent in a fight. Phelps travelled nationally to compete until he sustained a fatal blow from Owen Swift in 1838.

The London Evening Standard reported that five thousand vehicles went through Mile End Turnpike from as early as four o'clock on Sunday morning overloaded with passengers showing no regard for the Sabbath. All roads to Fairlop were equally busy. Bad driving led to accidents, especially as it got late. Two overloaded carts tipped over and many of the thirty passengers were seriously injured. In a different accident two children and a man were knocked down at Mile End, the man needing hospital treatment. At Bow, a stone bridge under construction, meant police had to supervise traffic over a temporary bridge for which they took a torrent of abuse from half-drunken drivers. In Stratford six people fell from a cart; one breaking an arm, when the horse took fright and ran over a number of pedestrians. A hit and run accident in Ilford Lane left a man dead. The suspects described as 'Two Jews' escaped without punishment. Police managed to keep hundreds of booths under control. However the forest trees had no protection and were stripped of branches to decorate homeward bound vehicles. Obscene songs were often sung on the way back to the East End.