Golowan a wool agan Tre, agan Norvys
As we celebrate the 33rd year of its revival, the Golowan Festival once again provides the perfect antidote to troubled times, lifting spirits, raising hopes, and binding our community together. Our theme this year “Golowan Celebrates Our Town, Our Planet” reflects the power of the community to come together and appreciate what is special and what really matters.
The Golowan Festival organisers are once again very grateful to the support and funding given to the festival by Penzance Council. “We’re delighted to once again support Golowan and the countless local people who work so hard to make it happen” said Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance.
“The festival brilliantly captures the quirky creative spirit of our community, and this year’s theme chimes perfectly with Penzance Council’s commitment to our town and our planet.”
Golowan is uniquely special but also without doubt one of the finest community festivals in the country. Nothing in this world exists in isolation, however, and as part of the greater community – our planet – Golowan has, over the years, demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our theme this year, therefore, reflects that continued commitment and invites everyone taking part to share their appreciation and love for all our community – local, national, and international.
We seek to preserve the magic of old traditions while pursuing exciting innovation and this year with the kind support of our sponsor Penzance Council we are giving young people the opportunity to get involved through an innovative music industry style “Expo” demonstrating DJ skills, live sound and recording skills, live performance broadcasting, song writing and band mix sessions hosted at the Musicability venue, Parade Chambers, 10 Parade Street, Penzance, TR18 4BU, on Saturday 17th June from 10am-5:30pm. This will culminate in the popular and highly successful Youth Stages the following Mazey weekend.
We have the Golowan staples – Thursday 22nd June sees the annual vote for the Mock Mayor of the Quay in the Golowan Marquee, which is hosted this year by the Cornish Crown Brewery, with their fabulous line-up of performances running through to Sunday 25th.
Friday 23rd sees the town hold aloft flaming torches from Chapel Street to the Harbourside in the Torchlit Procession, followed by a significantly quieter firework display to light up the night sky (courtesy of Penzance Council) and Penglaz making an appearance to accompany the Golowan Band in the Serpent Dance crying ‘An Eye! An Eye!’ and rushing through the hands of the head of the serpent as it snakes along Coinagehall and winds its way around streets and to end back at the harbourside in celebration of Midsummer and the Feast of St John.
Mazey Day (Saturday 24th) sees the Mayor and Mock Mayor address the crowds from the Mayors’ Platform followed by the 11am, 1pm, and 3pm parades where schools and community groups parade their giant wicker models to the tune of the marching bands. There will also be street music, stages, markets, and theatre and dance. Greenmarket Car Park will host the street food stalls and musical acts will fill the Folk Stage. We have the fair with rides and attractions to light up the harbourside from Wednesday through to Quay Fair Day.
On Quay Fair Day (Sunday 25th) Penzance’s promenade will host activity from Jubilee Pool to Wherrytown including a Roller Disco, a Youth Music Stage and the ever-popular skate competitions and the highly popular model boat event at Wherrytown Boating Pool. Along the Harbour Quay to Ross Bridge there will be markets, street music and the Stages and new this year we have a ‘Community Showcase’ where local clubs demonstrate their skills in Morrab Gardens, from Judo to musical instruments.
‘Back to the Cup!’ We are working closely with Plastic Free Penzance to encourage all festival visitors to bring a refill water bottle and drinks cup, bring your Golowan cup from last year or a cup that you might have used at other festivals! Please refuse plastic bags if offered them and help us create less rubbish by not buying single use, throw away items. # Reduce #Refill and #Rethink!
Intrinsic to Golowan is the support we receive from our main partner Penzance Council together with the Arts Council of England, FEAST, the National Lottery, Penzance BID and Sustainable Penzance.
Summer is here, Golowan is back again in all its glory!
You can find out more about the festival, how to travel to Penzance and the festival programme on our dedicated Golowan 2023 webpage.
For more information about Penzance Council grants to local community groups please visit our Grants page.
