Padstow celebrates its Obby Oss festival for first time since pandemic
"Oss Oss wee Oss!"
Last updated 2nd May 2022
Padstow is coming together to celebrate May Day, as its famous Obby Oss festival returns for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The yearly event to mark the beginning of Spring is held on the 1st May - unless that day falls on a Sunday, in which case it is held on Monday 2nd May.
Both Oss', the Old Oss (Red Oss) and Blue Ribbon Obby Oss will parade through the streets to the sound of the May Song.
What is Obby Oss?
The exact origins of Obby Oss are unknown but, like other events during spring, it is thought to be connected with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane.
The custom has been carried out by Padstonians for centuries and involves the two Osses parading round the streets of the town with plenty of music, dancing and 'teasing' of the Oss.
The May Song begins with the lines:
"Unite and unite and let us all unite,
"For summer is acome unto day,
"And whither we are going we will all unite,
"In the merry morning of May".
On the official Obby Oss website, organisers shared the following quote from C.S. Gilbert:
"There is an annual jubilee kept up at Padstow, on May 1st, known by the name of the Hobby Horse, in illusion to which, the inhabitants dress up a man in a horses skin, and lead him through the different streets.
"This odd looking animal amuses, by many whimsical exploits, the crowd which follows at his heels, particularly by taking up water dirty water, wherever it is found, and throwing it into the mouths of his gaping companions.
"These tricks naturally produce shouts of laughter, and the merriments are accompanied by songs made for the occasion. The origin of the festival appears to be unknown".
What happens during Obby Oss?
May Day in Padstow starts at midnight the night before, when its inhabitants sing to the landlord of the Golden Lion Inn. The singing continues until the early hours of the morning as they move around the town.
The next day people collect flowers to display around the town and tree branches are tied to lampposts and drainpipes.
8am: Children start to parade their Obby Oss’ in preparation for the main event.
10am: The Blue Ribbon Obby Oss leaves the Padstow institute to begin its tour of the town.
11am: The Old Oss (Red Oss) appears outside the Golden Lion Inn. Both dance around the streets, followed by their supporters.
12pm: The Old Oss has reached Prideaux Place where it dances outside in front of a large crowd before heading back to the Golden Lion Inn. The Blue Ribbon Obby Oss visits Prideaux Place later on.
Both are returned to their stables just before it gets dark, before all supporters meet around the Maypole to sing again.
The two Obby Oss' carry out similar parades at 2pm and 6pm before ending their day around the Maypole on Broad Street.
You can read more about Padstow's Obby Oss festival on its official website, or watch some highlights from previous May Days below...