May Day Circa 1930, Dale Park School
Our school was delighted to come across the historical photograph archived by the Mariemont Preservation Foundation depicting students at Dale Park dancing around a Maypole in the 1930’s! Coincidentally, each year the Cincinnati Waldorf School welcomes spring with our traditional May Morning celebration where our students come together to sing Spring songs and dance around a traditional Maypole. May Day is a long held celebration around the world. Traditionally in some European countries, young men secretly planted May trees beneath their sweetheart’s windows at night. Over time, these trees came to be represented by the Maypole. On May Day children secretly hung small baskets of spring flowers upon the doorknobs of the homes of friends and neighbors. Villagers gathered around the Maypole, singing songs of Spring. As they danced, the weaving of the ribbons clothed the pole in bright patterns of color. Happily, our students are quite immersed in the rites of Spring. On May morning children will be holding their May Day celebrations with song and Maypole dancing. After Earth’s long held in-breath of Winter, we are eager to gather and rejoice together in the beauty of Spring! We welcome you to join us on our May morning, April 30 on the Dale Park field. Please also join us for our annual May Faire celebration with food and fun on Saturday, May 3, 11:00 am-2:00 pm. Visit the Waldorf School at cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org
May Morning Circa 2013, Cincinnati Waldorf School
I attended Dale Park Elementary in the 1950s and I remember celebrating May Day by dancing around the Maypole. I loved it! Wonderful tradition and a shame that it stopped. Some people associate with Pagan rites and see that as a negative. Thanks for posting. Brought back wonderful memories.
Like Sharon I distinct remember celebrating May Day at Dale Park School by dancing around the May pole. This was in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.