I'd suggest that if you're comparing the Mari with Mr Blobby in any way you've rather missed the point. What WAS your point, though - that because you can't trace the origin of a custom it shouldn't be revived by anyone in any way? Or that customs have to be really, really old? (in which case cancel most of Christmas)

The point of this thread was to let people know the Mari was out and about today, in case they wanted to join in. Obviously you didn't. The custom of the Mari survived in this part of Wales into living memory, so it's hardly a "revivalist" pastime. When it started is more of a mystery, but that's true of many customs. The quibbling has been over the use of the word "pagan". Possibly valid quibbling, but really not important in the great scheme of things.

Why not just enjoy it for what it is? Why not just have some fun? I'm very sorry if for you "fun" and "smiling" equates to Mr Blobby, as he has the entirely opposite effect on me.