Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
May
Traditionally seen as the beginning of spring, May is welcomed in with several fest-
ivals that can trace their roots back to pagan times.
'Obby 'Oss
One of the southwest's most colourful (and chaotic), Padstow's May Day festivals is on 1
May, and involves two colourful 'osses' (blue and red) twirling around the town's streets,
followed by a procession of singers, musicians and inebriated revellers. It's riotous, rauc-
ous, and royally good fun.
Flora Day
Cornwall's other famous spring festival takes place in early May. Townsfolk take to Hel-
ston's streets in formal dress, and enact the age-old Furry Dance - a waltz-like dance ac-
companied by its own special tune.
World Pilot Gig Championships
This huge Scilly regatta in early May revolves around racing pilot gigs, the long multi-man
rowboats that were once a common sight around the southwest's shores. Teams from across
the world come to compete.
Devon County Show
In early May Devon's farmers and food producers congregate for this annual agricultural
show, which has been one of the main events on the county calendar since 1872.
Fowey Festival
This litfest began life as the Daphne du Maurier Festival, but it's now rebranded itself to
encompass other literary luminaries, as well as the odd bit of theatre, dance and music.
