Saturday 15 July is the tenth Lafrowda Day
St Just in Penwith’s unique community celebration

On Saturday 15 July the most westerly town in England will be partying. As ever, the day will be a showcase for the very best of local creative talent, with a mix of live music, street theatre, family fun and amazing processions. 2006 will be extra special - it’s Lafrowda Day’s tenth birthday and the theme is Legends.

The festival has become so much of a tradition in St Just, it’s hard to believe that the first ever Lafrowda Day took in place just a decade ago. In 1997 a few local performers came along to entertain anyone who happened to be around, and there was a procession with just one big image - and that had been borrowed.

A decade later and more than a hundred children are making banners for the midday parade, at least six processional sculptures are being specially built for the afternoon, and after dark another two giant illuminated images which will be coming out with the lanterns.

Over twenty different acts will perform live from two stages - music to suit every age and every taste with a mix of the best of local talent alongside established acts like Jamie Cruickshank, the Sneakers and the Slaves. ‘Roo’d’ (two 8 foot kangaroos who are bouncing in from Australia), Sparky the robot, and Sky Larks aerial puppets will be out the on street to add to the party. All this and stalls, refreshments, bouncy castles and plenty of surprises.

The driving force behind the day is the Lafrowda Trust, a registered charity bringing arts education to people in and around St Just. All the processional items and street decorations are made in workshops run by the Trust which this year has been able to offer paid work to seven local people.

Chair of trustees, Kevin Godden said: ‘It’s the people of St Just who really make the day - Lafrowda is a festival created by the community, for the community, where everyone is welcome to join the fun. Ten years on it’s great to see so many people of all ages involved in the festival. It’s this community support that’s made Lafrowda such a success.’

Lafrowda Day is the highlight of the week-long Lafrowda Festival. The fun starts from11.00 and lasts a full twelve hours. Details of all this year’s Lafrowda activities are available at www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk.

Photographs
General shots from 2005 festival available now from Barbara Smith
Photo opportunities on Lafrowda Day: 11.45 (children’s procession), and 15.15 (afternoon procession) outside Nancherrow Youth Centre, Nancherrow Hill, St Just - catch the images lining up ready for the procession. Ask for Barbara Smith.