Excitement is starting to build in Helston as the town prepares for a much-loved tradition on Bank Holiday Monday - along with a marathon fundraising event for a local club.
The May Day Parade, affectionately known as the ‘unofficial’ Flora Day practice, takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1.
Two parades will take place on the day, the first at 7am and the second, which is usually the most well-attended out of the two, at 7pm.
Helston Town Band will meet at the Guildhall at 7am and will then proceed up through Meneage Street, to the end of the one-way section where it meets The Parade at the bottom of Trengrouse Way.
They shall then turn around and come back down through the town, turning right at the traffic lights to head through Wendron Street, down through Penrose Road and onto Church Street.
The Packet's Facebook live during the May Day Parade in 2022
The band will then turn right at the lights down through Coinagehall Street and then onto the bowling green, which they shall parade around before returning to The Guildhall.
Band members will return at 7pm for the same route again, albeit slightly longer as this year it will extend onto St Johns Road.
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The 7pm May Day Parade always sees hundreds of people line the streets, to see the band play the famous Flora Day tune.
There will be a rolling road closure during these times and locations during the parade.
To coincide with the parade, Helston and St Keverne Young Farmers' Club will be holiding a specially themed fundraiser on Monday. ‘Florathon’ will take place from 7am on May 1 at Burnuick Farm, which is on the road towards Gunwalloe past RNAS Culdrose.
This will see a 12-hour dance taking place, starting with one couple dancing around and then joined by another couple and so forth.
However, at 5pm, the procession will then leave the farm, and head towards the town past RNAS Culdrose to join the May Day Parade near Yeoman’s Garage, Meneage Street (formally the VW Garage).
There will also be fun stalls, bouncy castles and refreshments including a BBQ, cream teas, and breakfast baps available throughout the day, which is open to anyone to attend.
For more information or to apply to dance, contact Ollie Pearce on 07853 828335.
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