Callington’s colourful MayFest is back for the fifth year on Saturday, May 13.

With more than 250 performers in six venues over seven hours, the day will offer everything from traditional Cornish song and dance, to displays from visiting European groups, and performances by local choirs and musicians.

A new addition for this year will be a main central stage in Fore Street, providing a focal point for the day’s events. 

Other venues include the Town Hall, St Mary’s Church, the Methodist Church, Fore Street outside Annie’s Tearoom, and the yard of The Bull’s Head. 

Also new for 2017 will be children’s entertainment.

Workshops have been taking places over the past few weeks, getting local people ready to participate in Callington’s own Furry Dance.

A road closure in Fore Street and New Road will begin at 7.30am to allow for the erection of the staging as well as the numerous stalls which will form a craft market in New Road. Roads will re-open at 7pm.

Performances will begin at 10.30am and continue throughout the day and will include morris dancers, musicians, choirs, storytellers, a Young Criers competition and a ‘Fun Cry’ arranged by Callington Town Crier, Tony Stentiford, and featuring visiting criers. There are guest dancers from France and Estonia, five choirs, folk bands, Morris dancers, Samba drummers, the Untold Dance Company and storytellers.

‘We are particularly delighted to be welcoming guests from Brittany and also from Estonia,’ said a MayFest committee spokesperson.

‘Both of these groups will bring their own special talent and display their marvellous folk costumes.’

The main procession will assemble at 12 noon in the Saltash Road recreation ground and will set off at 12.15pm, arriving in Fore Street at 12.40pm.

A grand finale at 4pm will see all the performers together with members of the public form a ‘giant serpent’ to dance through the town centre.