The Irish have St Patrick’s Day, known world-wide as a day for celebrating all things Celtic whilst merry making.
But hot on its heels is perhaps the lesser-known Yorkshire Day, which has been in existence for nearly half a century, but only properly celebrated in recent years.
Since 1985 towns and cities across God’s Own Country have been hosting civic dignitaries to mark the special day.
Last year the celebration, organised by the Yorkshire Society, was held in Keighley and now the prestigious baton has been handed over to Rotherham to continue the tradition this year.
Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Robert Taylor will welcome Mayors, Lord Mayors, and Civic Leaders from across Yorkshire. He said: “It is a real honour to be hosting such an historical event here in Rotherham this year and we look forward to displaying our fantastic town and wonderful communities.
“We are proud to be Yorkshire folk and we will be ensuring we show our true Yorkshire grit and determination when we host this event. The day gives us an opportunity to promote the borough and help boost the regional economy. But more importantly, it gives the people of Rotherham a chance to reflect on their culture and heritage.
“This is a great kudos for our borough and is a chance for us to proudly show off all the amazing work in and around our town. Rotherham is a place on the up and this is a chance for us to not only celebrate our heritage, but show how we are investing in our future, creating a place we all want to show off.”
CEO of Yorkshire Society, Philip Bell, added: "Since 1985 we have marked Yorkshire Day with a special civic celebration, organised on behalf of The Yorkshire Society by an appointed town or city council. Each year it gets better and better and I am delighted to say Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have done Rotherham and Yorkshire proud this year with what looks like being the biggest Yorkshire Day civic celebration yet."
Mayors, civic dignitaries, and mace bearers from across Yorkshire will parade through Rotherham, South Yorkshire, as the town officially hosts the annual Yorkshire Day celebrations on 1 August 2023. Each year a different town or city is chosen for the honour.
Fifty Yorkshire Society members will join the civic leaders. Residents are invited to watch as the colourful parade leaves the Town Hall at 11am, joined by a group of elected Mini Mayors – primary school children from across Rotherham.
The parade will be led by the loudest town crier on record David Hinde, the official town crier for Yorkshire Society and Helmsley. This will be his second outing, after making his premier in Keighley last year.
Mr Hinde is not new however to leading parades as he was featured doing so at the end of the Dad’s Army film in 2016.
The procession will then head to the official civic ceremony at Rotherham Minster, where there will be a ceremonial hand-over of the official Yorkshire Day Flag.
In an unusual twist, despite it being an event steeped in ceremony and tradition, Rotherham Council has handed over creative control for the day to the borough’s children and young people. They are tasked with delivering a vibrant programme of activities to run alongside the parade to highlight Rotherham hosting the first ever Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025.
In All Saints’ Square visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of musical performances, poetry, and dance as well as creative workshops including screen printing and felt crafts.
There will be performances from emerging young Rotherham artists, who are being mentored by creatives including Testament, Rationale Arts, Steve Edwards and Sile Sibanda.
Celebrations will continue throughout August with free workshops in the town centre every Saturday of the month where themes will include heritage, landscape, industry, and culture.
What is Yorkshire Day, how did it start and how is it celebrated?
This annual event celebrates and promotes the region of Yorkshire.
It is not just the people of Yorkshire that celebrate Yorkshire Day, with people outside of the region and globally now joining in the festivities.
What is the origin of Yorkshire Day?
Yorkshire Day was first celebrated on August 1, 1975, by the Yorkshire Ridings Society.
However, it was not an official event until Yorkshire’s councils agreed on an ‘Official Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration’ in 1985, which took place in York.
Since then, the host city or town has changed every year across the region.
The date references the Battle of Minden, and the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which former Yorkshire MP, William Wilberforce, campaigned for.
How do people celebrate Yorkshire Day?
Traditionally, the region’s mayors, Lord Mayors and other public figures attend the host town or city for a breakfast reception before meeting for a thanksgiving service. A street parade is then held, then a formal lunch to finish.
Yorkshire Day celebrations initially began with a reading, but now the day comprises anything related to Yorkshire, from local food produce and confectionery to its rich history.
Celebrations usually entails eating a large amount of traditional Yorkshire food, including the famous Yorkshire Pudding, but they can also include a simple reminder of all the things are great about Yorkshire.
One ongoing tradition is the reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity, including by members of The Yorkshire Ridings Society or a recital of Yorkshire dialect.