Whether on purpose or by proximity, people will absorb Cornish history, music and traditions in Mineral Point Sept. 25-27.
The Southwestern Wisconsin Cornish Society hosts the Cornish Festival to highlight the city’s connection to Cornwall.
In advance of the festival, Pat Snyder, a lifetime member of the Cornish Society, visited businesses to stress the importance of Cornish history and ask them to fly the Cornish flag.
“The Cornish flag is a white cross on a black background. It represents the tin melting from the dark stone, or good over evil,” she said.
It is also called the flag of St. Piran, who according to lore, rediscovered tin smelting when he built a hot fire and white colored tin melted out of his dark hearth stone in the shape of a cross.
No space went unnoticed. She made small flags for the train set in the window of Buster & Bruno’s Studio and Gallery.
“I am doing this in memory of Catherine Whitford, whom I loved dearly,” Snyder said. “When she died, I promised I’d keep the history alive like Catherine could in her little shop. The enthusiasm I have received has been astounding.”
Whitford had Cornish tea, books and other wares in her shop and was named a Cornish bard, a recognition of those who preserve Cornish heritage.
“We don’t even have to be of Cornish descent to enjoy, preserve and promote the Cornish history of Mineral Point and the surrounding communities. It helps us understand ourselves and the area’s heritage and be able to share it with others. It helps us see our community in more detail and clarity,” Snyder said.
A 6-foot image that Snyder made of a Cornwall fisherman credited with saving his town from starvation will be at NightShift Chocolates during Cornish Fest.
“She’s been out every day getting people psyched about Cornish Fest,” said chocolatier Melissa Langholff. “I’m really impressed with the work she’s done.”
Many of the activities are free, but some have an entrance fee.
The festival kicks off Friday night, Sept. 25, at Pendarvis’ Kiddleywink Pub, featuring pub games and traditional tavern music.
A pancake breakfast runs 7:30 to 10 a.m. Sept. 26 at Odd Fellows Hall. It is a fundraiser for the Cornish student exchange.
Arts Mineral Point members will sell Art in the Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 outside the Masonic Lodge.
A free pop-up museum of Cornish history with artifacts and family displays will be inside the Masonic Lodge from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26.
On Sept. 26, Tracey Lee Roberts, senior lecturer emerita in history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, will speak about immigration to southwest Wisconsin at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge.
A free Fibre Faire at Shake Rag Alley Center for the arts features vendors and demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26.
Area musicians perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Library Park Sept. 26.
Also in memory of Whitford, an afternoon tea at Trinity Episcopal Church will be served from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27.
The Countrymen, a Cornish folk, rock and harmony band, return for an evening concert Sept. 26 at the Mineral Point Opera House.
A popular Chicago bakery will have a pop-up Sept. 27 at the Book Kitchen, inside Republic of Letters. Sugar Moon Bakery will sell small batch pastries from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The full schedule is listed on yellow brochures available throughout town and at www.cornishfest.org/cornish-festival/
A national Gathering of the Cornish Cousins by the Cornish American Heritage Society will immediately precede the Mineral Point Cornish Festival. It includes two days of Cornish fellowship, speakers and tours. Mineral Point last hosted the event 15 years ago.