THE Winter Droving has once again been a huge success in 2024.
People travel from far and wide to join the local community to experience a day to remember culminating in the unique parade of the drovers; a torchlit, masked procession to match all processions.
Artists from across Europe and even Canada, with a big contingent from Ireland, joined local ones to make a ‘smorgasbord of delights’, according to a spokesperson from Eden Arts, organisers of the event.
The description may be more apt than usual, as Swedish artist Asa Larsson performed folk songs and animal calls, known as the art of ‘kulning’.
The spokesperson said: “There was knife throwing, the Solway Spaceman, sideshow acts, bespoke story writing, slack rope walking, fire juggling, a faerie museum, the ‘Penrith Twining Association’ (moaning is their business), the Strange Thing, Nula Hula, strong women, juggling, DJs, live bands, drumming bands, a big market, food, arts and crafts, the Drovers’ Cup.
“The success of the event was obvious, everywhere you looked you saw smiling faces, and the photographs are a joy.”
For more than a decade, fire, music, masks and mayhem have descended on the town centre.
Last weekend, organisers estimated that 20,000 went through the market town throughout Saturday, October 29.
Inspired by the historical return of drovers - livestock herders - to the town for the winter season, the festival has evolved into a large-scale event that attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond.
Its torchlit parade is a key highlight, with masked participants lighting up the streets in a folk-inspired procession that has become a central feature of the festivities.
The festival encourages visitors to dress up and 'join the herd' by donning a mask, dressing up as a farmer and enjoying the entertainment.
The Penrith Winter Droving transforms the town centre with its busiest market of the year, bustling streets, roaming street performances around every corner.
Plus local, regional and national musical acts across several stages.
This all leads up to the highlight of the day - a magical fire and lantern procession throughout the town, which people often in their thousands regularly line up to watch.
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