May Day,

Padstow

1 st May

Celebrations begin early in the morningon the first of May to celebrate May Day in Padstow. It begins with the stable doors opening to let the Oss out and onto the streets through Padstow. The Oss moves around the harbour that is crowded with thousands of onlookers, as it has been of tradition for many years. The Obby Oss and its clan make a procession through the narrow lanes and even into gardens and houses. Festivities go on all through the day and into the late evening.

The Padstow Obby Oss is one of the oldest surviving festivals in Cornwall. Each year it brings thousands of people to Padstow to celebrate this tradition and its festivities. It is believed to be an ancient fertility rite marking the coming of summer. The 1 st of May sees Padstow decorated with the first greenery of the year, including bluebells, cowslips, forget-me-nots, hazel catkins and sycamore twigs. The procession sings the May Song and is dressed in white with red and blue sashes.


Helston Flora Day

Helston

Saturday 6 th May

This is a celebration in Helston to celebrate the arrival of Spring. It is believed to be a pre-Christian tradition and at one time during the Victorian era it was banned as being “a drunken revelry.”

The whole of the town is decorated with local greenery and bluebells. Gentlemen and their elegant ladies dance in and out of churches, shops and houses to the beat of a big bass drum.

The day starts with the 7.00am dance (originally for the servants of the gentry), and is followed by a boisterous dance cum play called the Hal – an – Tow, following this is the Children’s Dance, and then at noon the main dance of the day is started.

This is the Formal Dance, where the mean wear morning dress and the ladies wear magnificent ball gowns and hats.

There are always many stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and food running all the way down to the bottom of Coinagehall Street where you are then met with the large fairground set up for your entertainment in Coronation Park.

Flora’s celebrations go well on into the evening, with great entertainment throughout.


Godolphin Good Food Market

Godolphin House, Godolphin, Hayle

Monday 1 st May

This is a newly established date in the Cornish diary, being a fantastic event to try the Good Food Cornwall has to offer. A good day for food, and for all the family!


Looe Festival by the Sea

Looe

3 rd – 4 th June
The historic port of Looe is the place to be with two days of fun and frivolity.
The fishermen and townsfolk of Looe and surrounding parishes will be telling the story of how fish is caught, with tours of local boats and trawlers, what happens to it once its landed on the market, how its processed with fish displays by local fish mongers Pengelly's, filleting demonstrations and of course how its cooked.
For people who are more comfortable on land there will be plenty of tasty local produce to sample with daily al fresco food tastings on the quay sides provided by local restaurants and hotels.
All the entertainment and events is organised by over 60 local groups and organisations all proud to show the best of Looe, including a photographic exhibition, flower festival, choirs, bands, dance shows, music and drama.


The Royal Cornwall Show

Wadebridge

8 th – 10 th June

For three days each year the showground at Wadebridge is transformed into a living town, bustling with life, energy, agriculture, entertainment and trade. It is a significant event on the Cornish calendar with well over 110,000 people attending.

The Main Attractions include ;- the Flower Show - Bees - Honey & Homemade Wine - NatWest Countryside Area - Fur (Rabbits) - Motor Fair - Cavies - Forestry Section - Cage Birds - Food & Farming Marquee - Equine - Music/Entertainment - Young Farmers - Dog Section - Steam Fair - Poultry - Pigeons - Market Stalls – Exhibitions.

A fantastic day out suitable for the whole family, it caters for all needs.


Cornwall Food and Drink Festival

The Piazza, Lemon Quay, Truro

29 th Sep – 1 st Oct

This three day festival celebrates the very best of Cornish food and drink.

Held on Truro’s Piazza under a large marquee, the very best of Conwall’s produce is for tasting and buying. There’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

It’s host to many names and flavours, with exhibitors consisting of;

Roskillys, Garden of Eden, Seafood Cornwall, Callestick Farm Ice Cream, St Austell Brewery, Trenance Chocolate, Proper Cornish, Cornish Food ltd, and many, many more. A fantastic chance for visitors to enjoy what Cornwall has to offer.