Crowds flock to Pilton as Green Man Day fills streets with music and colour

Thousands of people lined the streets as Pilton Green Man Day returned with colourful parades, live music and family entertainment, transforming the village into one of North Devon’s biggest community celebrations.

Visitors gathered under clear skies to enjoy the annual festival, which once again filled Pilton Street and the nearby Rotary Gardens with entertainment, market stalls and performances.

The day began with a procession from Barnstaple Square through the High Street before arriving in Pilton Street. The parade featured the Green Man, a samba band and a host of costumed performers.

Throughout the day, live music took place on two stages, while Pilton Street was lined with traders and food stalls. Rotary Gardens hosted additional stalls, an open mic stage, a Pimms tent and two performances of the annual Green Man Pageant.

The pageant tells the story of the Green Man, a pagan symbol of nature, fertility and renewal. The performance depicts an initial conflict with the church before the two are reconciled. A carving of the Green Man can also be found inside Pilton Church.

Elsewhere, children enjoyed games and sideshows, visitors browsed craft stalls and sampled food from local vendors. Pilton Art Group staged an all-day exhibition at the Old School, while The Reform Inn hosted its annual beer festival.

Following the event, organisers thanked those who attended in a Facebook post, saying: “Green Man Day brought sunshine, smiles and an incredible crowd – thank you to everyone who came.”