THOUSANDS of people are expected to come together in Cornwall this weekend to celebrate St Piran’s Day with special events taking place throughout the Duchy.
Every year on and around March 5, towns and villages across Cornwall organise events and parades to celebrate being Cornish and the Duchy’s history and heritage, as well as honour the legend himself St Piran.
St Piran was the patron saint of tin and the holiday began as a celebration observed only by tin miners.
Legend tells of Piran’s arrival in Cornwall from Ireland during the 5th century.
After a disagreement with King Aengus of Munster, Piran was tied to a millstone and thrown off the Irish cliffs into a stormy sea.
The sea became calm and the millstone miraculously floated and brought him to Cornwall, where he washed up on Perranporth beach.
Events are being held throughout this week, with some starting on Thursday, March 2 and others up until the day itself and into next week.
Grab a pasty and check out our round-up of events taking place:
HELSTON: On Saturday, March 4, Helston Town Council has organised a ‘Helston Bakes’ competition and a lantern parade.
The baking competition will take place from 4pm until 5pm. Bakers are expected to bake Cornish delicacies including traditional Cornish pasties, Hevva Cake and Cornish Splits. For more information, visit Helston Town Council’s Facebook page.
The Lantern Parade will begin at 6.30pm, although gates will open at 6pm at Helston Boating Lake. The events runs until 8pm.
Read more details here: Fancy taking part in Helston's Lantern Parade? Here's how to get involved
PORTHLEVEN: To celebrate all things Cornish, The Shipyard Market revealed they will be hosting a village-wide 'pasty hunt' on Sunday, March 5.
Owner of Until Dawn Hannah Toon, who has organised this event, said: "We will be 'hiding' small waterproof 'pasties' across the village on Sunday morning, and at 10am the Great St Piran's Porthleven Pasty Hunt will commence!
"We'll be posting clues, hints and tips on our social media, and the hunt will continue until all the pasties have been brought back to us at The Shipyard Market - or until 5pm if they aren't found!
"On the back, each pasty voucher will have a prize donated by one of our traders. From 10% off all beers from the Porthleven Beer Seller, to free coffees from Poke Food, postcards from Until Dawn, cards from Hand and Palm, gifts from Cornish Magpie, and more.
"All of our traders on the day are donating prizes, and there will be over 20 pasties to hunt and claim prizes for dotted around interesting, inspiring, and culturally relevant places across the village.
To find out more information visit Porthleven Shipyard Market on Facebook.
FALMOUTH: Falmouth Town BID has announced a parade will be taking place through Falmouth for St Piran's Day on Monday, March 6. The parade will take place on Monday, March 6 and will leave The Moor at 10.00am via Webber St, out along the Prince of Wales Pier and through the main street to Church Corner, where there will be music and entertainment upon arrival.
Read the full details here: Organisers announce route for St Piran's Day parade in Falmouth
Tremough Campus in Penryn will also be hosting a celebration of Cornish heritage and diversity with special events from Friday, March 3.
More details here: Tremough Campus to mark St Piran’s Day with Cornish food tasting, songs and talks
PENZANCE: Penzance will welcome the return of St Piran Furry and a concert this week.
Starting on Thursday, March 2 a special concert with performances from a combined choir of school children from the Penwith area and Penzance Guizers will perform from 7pm at St John’s Hall.
The St Piran Furry will then take centre stage on Friday, March 3 and will see hundreds of school children dancing through the streets of Penzance.
The Furry will start at the top of the Causeway head at 10:15am and go down Causewayhead, Market Place, Parade Street and St Mary’s Terrace to Morrab Gardens.
Read the full details here: St Piran’s Day celebrations planned for Penzance
REDRUTH: Redruth will celebrate St Piran’s Festival in traditional style this year with a full programme of events and performances on Saturday, March 4.
The St Piran’s Festival Parade returns for the first time in three years and will be led up Fore Street by the Redruth Town Band and even St Piran himself.
Elsewhere, the town will be packed with things to do, see and taste as the biggest post-pandemic Town Market will be full of traders selling goods such as sweet treats, crafts, jewellery, art and food and drink.
Read the full details here: St Piran’s Festival Parade returns to Redruth for first time in three years
TRURO: Truro City Council has worked with partners at Salt Projects, Tyller A Nerth, Truro Old Cornwall Society, Truro BID, and Truro Farmers Market, to organise an exciting programme of events to mark St Piran’s Day a day early, this Saturday, March 4.
This includes the traditional St Piran’s Parade through the city, culminating with speeches on High Cross.
Truro Farmers Market will also be part of the celebrations. The market will be on Lemon Quay from 9am until 4pm, showcasing Cornish produce from local traders, as well as hosting live music.
As well as a vibrant and colourful collection of stalls and entertainment, the event sees the return of Truro Farmers Market’s Pasty Making Competition, which was a resounding success last year.
Read the full details here: Line up of events revealed for this year's St Piran's Day celebrations in Truro
*If you have any more information regarding St Piran's Day events taking place in your town and would like it on this round-up list contact kate.lockett@newsquest.co.uk*
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