The postcard above shows the Old Dover Days Maypole in front of Old Christ Church. The postcard is undated, but I am guessing it is from about 1970. The black and white photo below shows the Maypole dance in front of Old State House in 1950 (source: Delaware Public Archives).
The next photo is a more recent one from the Dover Days Festival website photo gallery. Old Dover Days celebrates the history of Dover, the capital of Delaware. The 2012 festival dates are May 4-6. The festival includes traditional Maypole Dancing on the green Saturday, May 5 between 11AM and noon.
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Dover is really into that May Day celebration! I like this progression of photos.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone around here celebrates with a may pole and may dancing. Maybe the kids in the elementary schools.
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white postcard with the women in such finery.
Nancy
I love these old pictures of maypole dancers. My old school still has a maypole and uses every opportunity to dance around it!
ReplyDeleteA perfect fit! How far back do think this tradition goes in Delaware ?
ReplyDeleteOh these are just lovely. I really enjoyed the last one, with their excitment and happiness running around the May Pole! I do remember some of that in grade school, although we never dressed up for the dance, but we had fun, while it lasted far too short of a time!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are ever events where boys get to participate in the maypole dancing. It seems that they would like it every bit as much as the girls.
ReplyDeleteI recall a May pole celebration, and I believe it was part of the celebration of Mary in our Catholic school. I'll have to check with my sister who remembers this stuff better than I.
ReplyDeleteBang on theme. I have to admit that when I first chose the maypole image I was a little worried that the tradition was a little UK-centric. How wrong I was.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful May Day pictures/postcards - the children all look like they are having fun. It actually reminded me that I did something similar when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteGreat May Day celebration postcards! The kids in the third one are really going for it.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
I remember our local schools used to dance around the maypole when my sons were young. It's such great fun, but try getting the children to weave in and out correctly to make the ribbons into patterns....
ReplyDeleteAs much as I admire the older photo it's the enthusiasm of the children that make the May Days for me.
ReplyDeleteYours is the first post I've looked at for Sepia Saturday this week and I have to say: I'm surprised that May poles and May Day are so popular. It was a non-holiday when I was growing up and I only ever remember it because my mom once mentioned her childhood remembrances of the day and because I have a friend from Belgium who always gave lily of the valley on May 1.
ReplyDeleteI like the middle card best. It's interesting to learn that Dover does it big for May Day.
Beautiful postcards; I think most may celebrations have become a day for children to enjoy with dancing and singing. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteWonderful postcards! I have a vague remembrance of May Day as a child. I don't remember a May pole but do remember that you were supposed to hang flowers in May baskets on people's doorknobs. However I don't remember doing it.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Something about the first one that I find especially appealing.
ReplyDeleteThanx 4 sharing!!
:)~
HUGZ
Excellent pictures of a festive time....so many May Day celebrations exist only in something historic like these you have shared. It was a great tradition that might return someday.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to see the old photos of them dancing around the pole.
ReplyDelete