May Day Celebrations

May Day Celebrations

May Day celebrations commonly included the naming of a May Queen. The May Queen may have started the May Day Celebrations and the Maypole Dance, symbolizing youth and springtime. Traditionally she wore white and a crown or tiara. In performing the maypole dance, the dancers move in a circle, each holding a colored ribbon that is attached to a pole. The dancers intertwine their ribbons, forming a braid, then, to unravel the ribbons, the dancers must retrace their steps. The dance was part of physical education for girls in U.S. elementary schools for many years.