Helston Flora Day!

The origins of the festival are lost in time, although it takes place on the anniversary of the Apparition of St Michael, Helston's patron saint. A further legend suggests that a "fiery dragon" dropped a huge rock on the village centuries ago, and the dances celebrate the people's survival.

The Day always falls on 8 May, unless that happens to be a Sunday or a Monday, when it moves to the previous Saturday.

"Dancing here, prancing there, jigging, jogging everywhere" 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. This is followed by a boisterous dance cum play called the Hal-an-Tow. Verses of this have reference to Robin Hood, the Spanish Armada and St George and the dragon.

Videos of This Event are at the bottom of this page. Don't Forget to watch them !

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. Nobody minds if the children are slightly out of step as the procession is so long that many are out of earshot of the band.

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.

Flora Day 2007 will take place on Tuesday 8th May

Details of the Dances :-

Morning Dance : Starts from the Guildhall at 7am

The Hal-an-Tow : Starts on St John's Bridge at 8:30am

The Children's Dance : Starts from Wendron Street at 9:50am

The Midday Dance : Starts from the Guildhall at 12 noon

The Evening Dance : Starts from the Guildhall at 5pm