The Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival

Every year in Whittlesey the Straw Bear festival takes place. This is a celebration dating way back to the 1800's when on the Tuesday following plough monday a man would be dressed in a suit made of straw and walked round town to entertain the town folk. After being revived in 1980 the festival now has over 250 dancers, musicians and performers from the British Isles performing Molly, Clog, Morris and Sword. Although the festivities begin earlier in the week, the Saturday is the only day on which the 'Bear' makes an appearance before the 'Bear Burning' on the Sunday.