The Black Prince Procession takes place on the first Bank Holiday Monday in May in the villages of Millbrook, Kingsand and Cawsand. Money raised from the event goes to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the area.

The current festival dates back to 1986, but is a revival of a centuries-old tradition which lapsed some fifty years ago.

Each year, the newly flower-decorated model boat, the 'Black Prince', is carried shoulder high through the villages by four volunteer Naval Ratings from HMS Raleigh, accompanied by processional dancers and musicians, children and other villagers.

After Maypole dancing by Millbrook schoolchildren, the procession begins at Millbrook Quay with the traditional announcement by the Town Crier. Sadly, due to the death of Derek Amphlett, we do not have our own Town Crier at present and the traditional duties are carried out by visiting Criers.

Those taking part are encouraged to wear traditional clothes - men in white smocks and top hats, with large buttonholes of white flowers, and ladies in long white dresses with red ribbons, sashes, and red flowers in garlands and in their hair.

The event is seen as symbolically marking the death of winter, with the launch of the boat in Cawsand Bay carrying the dead season away.

The splendid new, larger 'Black Prince' was specially built by Mashfords of Cremyll in conjunction with Falmouth Marine College for the 2006 parade.