The Forsyth Tradition of May Day
May Day has a long history across the globe, going by many names including Beltane in Scotland, Floralia in Ancient Rome, and Walpurgisnacht in the mountains of Germany. In the 1800s in America, May Day became a day of commemoration for the rights of laborers. The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions wanted to end the poor working conditions and long hours workers faced and held a convention in Chicago, where they proposed an eight-hour workday.
Here in Forsyth and Monroe County, May Day has been celebrated in many different ways. In High Falls in the 1920s, they would hold annual May Day picnics, and this year, High Falls State Park is reviving the tradition! Join in the fun on Saturday, May 2nd, for an afternoon of delicious food and activities, including a cane pole fishing contest, potato sack races, horseshoes, and more. A real Americana Summer event!
While we were doing our research, we learned that Tift College was also well known for its May Day celebration, dating back to the 1920s. Here’s a little history straight from two Tift College alumnae:
The History of May Day at Tift College, taken from Yesterday at Tift by Eugenia Wootton Stone:
May Day at Monroe College, judging from reading, was simply a spring outing; as observed in recent years, it dates back to 1927 when Elizabeth Cook, known to the Campus as Sis, was named the first May Queen. For many years, the identity of the May Queen was a deep, dark secret until she emerged to take her place in the procession for the actual occurrence. The students voted for their choice for the queen, but the results of the voting were never announced. Sometimes, not even the girl’s roommate knew. This custom then accounts for the continued omission of any reference to May Day in the Chiaroscuro year after year. Annual material had to be in the hands of the printers long before the secret of May Day was revealed.
An incident connected with this program is an interesting side light on the days of the 1930’s. When the programs came from the printer a few days ahead of time, there was great consternation in the administration offices! Among the folk steps and games to be staged was, naturally, the May Pole Dance. But that word “dance” was verboten on this campus. What would the Georgia Baptist Convention and some of its leaders say? Some of these might allow their daughters to dance, but would not countenance it on Bessie Tift campus! And Dr. Chamlee, president at that time, was strong in his convictions in the matter-so back all the programs had to go to the printer to be redone, and with “dance” omitted, the changed form read, “Plaiting the May Pole.”
We also reached out to the 1973 May Queen, Sheila Wade Keener, for her May Day story…
The May Day celebration that year coincided with the Forsyth and Monroe County Sesquicentennial Celebration and Ms. Sheila had her own float in the parade! Ms. Sheila was delighted to share stories and photos of her experience as the May Queen with you.
“The year I was the May Queen was especially special because it was also the Sesquicentennial of Forsyth and our theme was The Old South. All the townspeople dressed accordingly for the event, and we went all out on campus. I was even interviewed by Dell Ward for her show Date With Dell on 13WMAZ!” Ms. Sheila went on to tell us that every year, there would be choreographed dances by students to match the theme. Every student was encouraged to join in, and they would practice for weeks leading up to the actual May Day celebration.
One of our favorite stories, Ms. Sheila told us, came from her freshman year. She was the freshman representative for the May Court that year, and she convinced some of her single male friends who worked at Robins Air Force Base to be escorts for the ladies of the court. It was a way to honor service members and to bring attention to POWs and those missing in action during the Vietnam War. As luck would have it, one couple who were assigned to each other, Kathy Endress and Robert “Bob” Graves, would fall in love, get married, and are still married to this day!
For a fun stroll down memory lane, check out this archive of digitized Chiaroscuro yearbooks (1910-1986).
Feeling inspired? A great way to start your family’s May Day tradition is at the upcoming High Falls State Park May Day Picnic on Saturday, May 2nd!