TONGUE PIE and the Mazey Day Ball have a new home this year.
Sound nightclub in Penzance will be the major focus for events at this year's Golowan Festival.
And this week, owner Rob Matthews joined Jacqui Walls, editor of The Cornishman, to announce their roles as business sponsors of the hugely successful midsummer event.
With three months to go, preparations are already well under way with all events focused around a theme of Pirates and the Deep Blue Sea.
Under the leadership of Andy Hazlehurst, who took over as festival director this year, popular traditions such as the Mock Mayor elections, Tongue Pie and Quay Fair Day have been given a slightly new twist.
And new events, including the Westcountry Strongman competition, a kitesurfing Pasty Cup and the musical premiere of The Mousehole Cat are on the cards.
Organisers are even hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of pirates in one place – a title currently held by Hastings.
"It is about refreshing and replenishing," said festival organiser Jane Pugh.
"We are doing Tongue Pie, but we are moving it to Sound because we observed that it was the same readers for the same audience every year. We are now working in partnership with University College Falmouth and some students are organising it and running a writing competition for it."
Penzance Literary Festival organisers are helping to put together a programme of afternoon talks to run throughout Golowan week, while the people behind Penzance Proms are putting on an evening of music.
"This is our core strength," added Jane. "What Andy has been great at is bringing in people and giving them the means to contribute. This is the Big Society but we were doing it before.
"This is a community festival of excellence. People love it and want to contribute to it."
The organisers are now hoping more local businesses will be keen to get involved – offering their time and resources in mutually beneficial ways.
"Golowan contributes over half a million pounds to the economy of Penzance every year," said Andy. "We would definitely like to get businesses involved, but we're not going cap in hand – it should be good for us and good for them."
Rob Matthews, who opened Sound nightclub nine months ago, said he was delighted to be involved as organisers gathered in the Market Jew Street venue this week.
The nightclub will host several events during Golowan week and Rob will use his various outlets, including the new Lewis's fish and chip shop in Newlyn and The Vault bar in Market Place, which opens next month, as well as various online sites, for ticket sales.
He said: "We've got a venue that is only open two nights a week, plus 38 staff and all the equipment – lights, sound, stage – and all those costs will be met by us. We will take the bar take which will cover our expenses. The aim is to keep Golowan going and going upwards and it would be nice to get more local businesses on board."
Jacqui Walls, editor of The Cornishman, agreed. She said: "We are proud to be associated with Golowan as one of Cornwall's biggest and best festivals. We hope that our support and that of other local businesses will ensure it thrives for many years to come."
Anyone interested in sponsorship or getting involved in the festival should contact Jane Pugh on 01736 369686 or email golowan@hotmail.co.uk
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN