Memories began flooding back into my mind today as I realized it is May Day. Not much happens anymore on this day to make it anything special other than it is the first day of May. Well, maybe we associate it with the real beginning of spring because we actually see things blooming all around us. You know the old familiar saying that says, "April showers bring May flowers". Actually we didn't have many April showers here in California this year, but somehow we still have some beautiful May flowers blooming all around us today. Back to my memories.
May Day was a huge celebration day when I was in grade school. Weeks before this day every grade in school began learning special dances which would be performed along with other schools in and out of our school district at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Simple, colorful costumes were made to go with each dance. The students of each participating school would be bussed to the park for the all-day affair. Each grade would perform their dance for the many spectators. But the highlight of the day was the dance around the May Pole. We all envied the fourth grade classes because they were the ones that always got to do that dance. It was tradition. We all just LIVED to be fourth graders in order to have this opportunity "wind" the May Pole. In case you've never seen the "winding" of the May Pole, I'll try to explain. A tall metal or wood pole (probably around 12 feet) was attached to a sturdy base so it could not tip. To the top of the pole were attached a number of colorful ribbons...one for each student dancing. Every other dancer was faced in the opposite direction, and each holding the end of a ribbon. When the waltz music began the dancers would begin waltzing around the pole lifting their ribbon first over and then under the ribbon of those facing them. This would continue until all the ribbons were wound around the pole in a beautiful braided design. There would be probably ten or twelve of of these May Poles being "wound" at the same time. I thought the sight was spectacular!
During the day, children were treated to free drinks and ice cream to go along with the packed lunches they brought from home. It was just a super fun day that we looked forward to all year. I guess it was my memory of May Day being something special that motivated me to have the children make little baskets, fill them with flowers and take them to a few homes on May 1. We did this several times when they were young, and just maybe doing this will give them some fond memories of May Day, too.
Happy May Day!!
1 comment:
I remember ding-dong ditching flowers with you on May Day. I loved it. In fact, I wanted to do it this year with the girls, but did't remember is was May 1st until I was going to bed. Next year I guess!
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