Saturday, August 21, 2010

May Day, USA

Where ever did May 1st go anyway?  I have great memories of 'May Day' while attending Hamilton Primary School in Pomona, California. Following Easter and into the last days of April, all the school kids were busy weaving May Day baskets out of folded paper. The teachers made colored streamers that were attached to the very top of the flag pole that was centered on the front lawn. 

For several days outdoor play-time was utilized for the precise practice of the 'May Pole Dance' where each kid would hold a different colored streamer and when given instruction by the teacher weave in and out with the other kids until we had reached the shortness of the streamers and had clad the flag pole in a rainbow of braid. 

So pretty, so much fun. On the first day of May the dance had been perfected.  Each child remembered to bring small bouquets from their home garden to fill their May baskets which were taken home at the end of the day to mothers, aunts, grandmothers and favorite neighbor ladies.  After graduating to Fremont Jr. High School, May Day celebrations were thence forward forgotten.  Very sad indeed.

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