Underbarrow Marrow Day

In a rural setting amidst the majestic Lakeland fells, the Underbarrow Marrow Day is a charity fundraising event celebrating that often overlooked staple of the kitchen garden plot, the vegetable marrow. It’s the only festival that I know of to headline this particular squash; there are classes for prettiest and ugliest as well as heaviest marrows, for pairs and also for pumpkins; money raised goes to local good causes and it’s been a fixture in the Cumbrian calendar for over 40 years. As well as the entrants to admire in a big display on benches, and the prize-giving ceremony with rosettes and silverware, there’s a large beer tent, barbecue food and music, wellie wanging, a dog show with numerous classes, a duck race in the beck, a marquee with craft stalls and WI tea & cakes, and children’s activities. A highlight in the afternoon is the Toss the Sheaf knockout competition in which a sack filled with straw must be pitchforked over a high bar; the bar is raised ever skywards until only one contestant’s throw clears it.

Helpful Hints

In 2026 it was on Sunday 20th September- 2027 date is yet to be confirmed.

There’s signposted free onsite field parking and entry to the show is also free, with modest charges for the competitions. The barbecue was definitely a cut above the usual, and the bar used refillable sturdy plastic glasses.

Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076062020956