Most of the traditional Crab Fair events, including the gurning competition, were not held during the war years 1939-44 because it was impracticable to stage them.

"Jock" Branthwaite was reported in 1949 to be a bus conductor from Bransty, Whitehaven. He recorded a Crab Fair song which was played over loudspeakers at the 1949 Fair. He also sang the song on radio in 1955. A 1966 newspaper report stated that he won the gurning competition seventeen times, but this is almost certainly incorrect.

Tommy Mattinson of Aspatria is the winner of the most competitions to date, with eleven victories. His father Gordon won ten times. Ron Looney of Egremont won the event eight times. Wyndham "Taffy" Thomas of Cockermouth was victor on five occasions. Gordon Blacklock of Thornhill, Egremont has won four times.

The first woman competitor, Mrs Mabel Braddock, took part in 1966. Mrs Braddock is the daughter of Albert Henson.

Miss Marie Quinn, reported to be the USA Champion, is the only woman in history to gain a place in the top 3 (2nd in 1974).

Contestants from Canada, Australia, the USA and Holland have taken part in the Egremont gurning championship. Nearer to home, competitors from all parts of the country regularly take part, and nowadays these competitors regularly outnumber local gurners.

Overseas contestants have been numerous, but not one has ever become World Champion Gurner.

A junior gurning competition was first held in 1979 and continues to this day.

There was controversy at the 1997 World Gurning Championship when the judges awarded first prize to the wrong contestant. Peter Clifford, an actor from Manchester, was initially given the Championship, but after the event the judges stated that they had meant Peter Jackman. The situation was resolved when Peter Jackman was handed the trophy on TV programme "They think it's all over" a few months later.