Each year Penrith in Cumbria marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the “darker half” of the year. To mark the clocks going back and the town’s tradition of droving animals to the final market of the year, masked revellers dress up in their finest, featuring everything from tweed caps and shepherd’s crooks to ancient druid to garb seemingly left behind when the Vikings left town.
The Winter Droving will return to the streets of Penrith, Cumbria this October in a celebration of light, fire and rural life. The festival, whose motto is “turn your clocks back 400 years”, is a staple of the autumnal calendar in the north of the north of England, with its tones of Sawhain, its fire and animal effigies and masks.
The Winter Droving epitomises all things Cumbrian; animals, fire, good food and community spirit. In 2019 the event saw over 25,000 people pass through, with a massive 8,000 people attending the evening parade. You only have to do one thing to join in; wear a mask!
Each year Penrith’s streets become something like a medieval market with traditional mulled wine and hot chestnuts alongside the finest local produce including a wide range of world foods, vegan and vegetarian cuisine, giftware, local artists’ works, quirky clothing and charity stalls. This year, the event has been extended to include a family and children’s area in King Street, with face painting and a craft stall for making animal-themed accessories to compliment the nature of the day.
Masked musicians, street performers, giant animal lanterns and locals dressed in elaborate costumes join the crowds at The Winter Droving for a unique celebration steeped in tradition. The day begins at 12.00 pm with a fancy dress competition for dogs, while the rest of the town blossoms, showcasing live musicians, street performances, drumming bands and carnival street shows before the eagerly awaited parade.
The Drover’s Cup is also returning, the fire-fighters are the current reigning champions, having beaten the other teams in 2019, but will they be able to keep hold of their title as rural champions? The competition begins at 1.30 pm on King Street and involves a series of challenges which test speed, agility, precision, strength, determination and a huge dose of self-deprecation.
Following on from two years of revised celebrations due to the pandemic, this year’s festival will return to the one-day format of 2019, which will feature the much-loved torchlight procession. The procession marks the droving of the animals into town for the final market of the year. Groups and individuals alike are encouraged to dress up, don their best animal masks and join the herd!
There are opportunities for a lucky number of people to carry a torch in the procession – you can sign up to do so on the Winter Droving Facebook page.
Arriving early is advised. This year there is a fantastic programme of singers, bands and musicians, street performers, actors and dancers. Truly an event not to be missed!
Markets will be open from 11am and festivities will continue into the evening.
WEAR A MASK!!! a fun mask!!
