Mazey Day 2006 (from Golowan Festival archives)

Mazey Day, Saturday 24th June 2006. (credit added 2020: Video by Paul Tyreman used with consent - from festival organisers' archives) A short video of Mazey Day, part of The Annual Golowan festival in Penzance, West Cornwall. We 'stop the mighty roar of the traffic' and close off the town for marching bands, street parades by local schools with giant images, music, dancing, street entertainment and traders.
Also on this channel is 'Mazey Day Parades 2014'. 26 mins of video clips assembled for Golowan virtual Festival online 2020, during Covid-19 restrictions. • Mazey Day Parades 28th...
Join the huge crowds celebrating the festival. On Friday evening enjoy fireworks at the harbour followed by Serpent dancing with 'Penglaz'. Mazey Day is on Saturday and the Quay Fair Day on Sunday. Visit www.golowanfestival.org for future festivals info. Penzance Bys Vykken.
Some history of The Golowan Festival, Penzance:
The modern Golowan Festival began in 1990 and was held over the summer solstice weekend (usually the weekend incorporating the 21/22 June). This weekend is significant in two ways: firstly it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and an important Celtic date, secondly the 24th June is the Saint's day of John the Baptist, the patron saint of Penzance, Gol meaning feast or vigil in Cornish and Jowan meaning John. Since the first Golowan Festival of just the one Saturday (Mazey Day) the length has extended, in the past to over ten days, attracting many thousands of visitors.
The origins of 'Mazey Day' go back to a traditional job exchange between fishermen and miners, who would swop jobs for the day and then celebrate together after. One of the symbols of Golowan is a pair of men dancing, one a miner and the other a fisherman.
Friday is Mazey Eve (fireworks, 'Penglaz' serpent dancing), Saturday is Mazey Day with giant imagery parades, street markets, marching bands, street entertainers, marquee events, colourful street banners, torch lit processions, more Serpent dances. On Sunday it is Quay Fair day, more of most of the above and very relaxed around the harbour area. They combine to create a festival that blends Cornish tradition with contemporary imagery and ritual.