Penzance was ‘flying high’ on Saturday 27 June as tens of thousands of people filled the streets and parks for Mazey Day – Cornwall’s biggest street party, and the highlight of Golowan, the town’s week-long festival of arts, performances and parades.
Marking the 36th year of the festival’s revival, the theme for this year was “Forever Flying High”, celebrating everything that soars above Penzance – from seabirds over Mounts Bay to Cornish sky spirits and bold visions of future flight.
Following a week of record-breaking temperatures, Mazey Day processions got underway in more comfortable conditions with the Civic Parade and an opening speech by the new Mayor of Penzance, Andy Law:
“As the Town Mayor and on behalf of Penzance Council, I am incredibly proud of our support for Golowan and can I take this opportunity to give a massive shout-out to Alan Shepherd and his team, the staff, friends and army of volunteers who work so hard to bring us this extraordinary event.
“The theme for Golowan this year is “Forever Flying High”, and as I stand here before you, I can genuinely say that I can see Penzance is flying high.
“This isn’t just a festival, this is the beating heart of Penzance. This brings the community together in joy and celebration; it’s an expression of what unifies us, an expression of who we are, our community and our love for this place we live in.”
Councillor Law also paid tribute to the ‘community hero and superhero’ Stephen Hall – a founding force behind the revival of Golowan, whose funeral took place earlier in the week.
The Mayor’s enthusiasm for the town’s best day of the year was amplified by this year’s Mock Mayor, ‘Mr Penzastic’ (Mitch Holmes) who was elected by a raucous crowd earlier in the week after proclaiming his love for Mazey Day.
Penzance-born and bred, with Golowan Festival tattooed on his arm, Mitch got the street party started with a rousing ‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy!’
After the ancient Feast of St John midsummer celebrations stopped happening in Penzance at the end of the 19th century, the tradition was revived in 1991 as a one-day celebration – Mazey Day. With the continuing support of Penzance Council, Golowan has grown over the years into a week-long festival, with Mazey Day still at its heart and now attracting tens of thousands of people to the town.
The main parades of the day were at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, with hundreds of participants from schools and community groups showcasing their giant wicker models to the tune of marching bands.
As well as the parades, street entertainment and stalls on Mazey Day, this year saw the welcome return of a festival area in Penlee Park, where there was entertainment and activities for all ages, as well as food stalls, a bar, craft stalls and the Tree Lounge hang out space for young people, organised by PZN Youth.
Penzance Council is proud to support Golowan through partnership and funding of Golowan Festival CIC, who won the tender to run the festival and is contracted to deliver it until 2027.
