A joyful community ten day festival which is enjoyed by thousands in Penzance returns later this month.

Since 1991, The Golowan Festival has brought the local community together in a joyous celebration of Midsummer madness, music and mayhem.

The word Golowan is made up of two Cornish words: ‘Gool Jowan’ - Gool meaning feast or festival and Jowan which is Cornish for John. Golowan means ‘Feast of John’ as St John the Baptist is the patron saint of Penzance.

The theme this year is a celebratory reflection of the power of the Cornish coast and its environment.

The festival, which runs from June 20 to 29, kicks-off with a Golowan launch party on Friday, 20. The traditionally civic parade will be held on Sunday, June 22.

On Midsummer’s Eve (Monday, June 23), a torchlit procession featuring costumed revellers and an appearance of Golowan’s legendary Oss, Penglaz heads down Chapel Street to the harbour.

From the mid-Wednesday until the end of the festival, the quay fair sets up down by the Harbour. Similarly, a marquee is erected in the Wharfside Maritime car park on the same Wednesday, which houses some of the festival’s music and events through to June 29.

Throughout the days leading up to Mazey weekend, the Golowan Festival supports, encourages and promotes events held at venues throughout the town and on Thursday, June 26, Golowan is closely involved in hosting the election of the Mock Mayor of the Quay, an ancient and anarchic ceremony.

On Friday, June 27 (Mazey Eve), a huge Fireworks display will light the bay followed by a serpent dance around the harbour.

Mazey Day itself, on Saturday, June 28, sees the centre of Penzance closed off as a traffic free area with market stalls, five parades featuring schools and community groups and full of colourful sculptured imagery, street music and entertainment throughout the town, a folk stage and a myriad of food stalls in Greenmarket car park – Festival Square for the day.

Music, family fun, food, craft stalls and community activities will be at Penlee Park over Mazey Weekend.

On Sunday, June 29, quay fair day, activities move down to the harbour with market stalls, folk stages, shanty crews and morris dancers on the quay.

For more information on this year’s Golowan Festival, visit: golowanfestival.org