Flora Day

The biggest day in Helston! You can click on the pictures to enlarge. Here's the blurb on the tradition...

"Flora Day is held every year on May 8th. This celebration is believed to be pre-Christian and at one time during the Victorian era was banned as being "a drunken revelry." The whole town is decorated with local greenery and bluebells which grow in millions in the surrounding countryside. Dancing occurs in the streets to the beat of the big base drum, elegant gentlemen and their ladies dance in and out of Churches, shops and houses. The day starts with the 7.00 am dance (originally for the servants of the gentry) with the Gentlemen wearing shirt and tie and the ladies wearing light summer dresses. Next to follow about 10.30am is the Children's Dance. The boys and girls are all dressed smartly and are decorated with flowers and lily of the valley. At noon the main dance of the day is started. This is the formal dance with the men wearing morning dress and the ladies magnificent ball gowns and hats that could be the envy of "Ascot." This dance is always led by a couple born in Helston. At the bottom of Coinagehall street are many stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and food, running all the way down to Coronation Park where a large fairground is set up. The celebrations last well into the evening with Helston's many public houses doing a roaring trade."

Simon and Damon met us at our place and we walked in to town for the 12 o'clock dance. It was insane with people. The streets were packed and everyone was in great cheer. After the dance, many of the people holding either a Cornish Pastie in their hand or a beer - so British! We walked through the streets and checked out all the vendors - food, clothes, jewelry, tarot readings, you name it, it was there. Very exciting to be a part of the tradition.

In the evening, Simon and Damon came back for a BBQ in the rain. Keith was soaked after cooking up a feast. We sat around the table and gabbed for hours. It was a great day minus the evening rain.