Beginning March 29 and ending April 29, Hannah practiced the "Mendon Tradition" of learning how to braid the May Pole so she could participate in the Mendon May Day Celebration. Practices consisted of three days per week. Thanks to Dave and Grandma Peterson for the transporation to and from practices so she could have this experience.
Hannah's dress had to be made. Anyone that know me well knows that I do not sew. I wish I could and I wish I had more time to learn but I don't. We went to a meeting on March 21 to get instructions for practices and for the dress. They had two models for the dress and when they brought out the pattern Hannah turns to me and says, "Mom! That's the dress I'm making for Easter!" If you remember, Hannah has been taking sewing lessons throughout the school year. Her last project was an Easter dress and the May Day dress turned out to be the same one! I was relieved when I asked Hannah's sewing teacher if she would be willing to "whip out" another dress. She willingly took on the project, which was a HUGE relief for me!
On May 1, the day of the celebration, we dropped Hannah off at the Fire Station at 9:30 a.m. so she could line up. We then went to Mendon Square to secure a spot so we could watch her dance. There were a total of 106 girls braiding may poles.
Here's a couple of pictures before leaving the house......
The festivities began at 10 a.m. with introductions of the court, which consists of all the high school junior girls living in mendon and their excorts. Then came all 106 girls walking from the fire station to begin the braiding of the poles. It seriously took 18 minutes for the poles to be braided. This didn't consist of the time it took the girls to walk from the fire station and get to their poles. We then went inside where the girls sang to the May Day Queen and there was a short program.
And here they come.........
and there they go.........
Yes, Ashley and Nicole were there too. Here's Ashley too interested in looking at all of the girls and couldn't be bothered to have her picture taken with Hannah.
And then we have Nicole who was COMPLETELY offended that we would not carry her over to the church. What mean parents we are to make her walk!!!!
After the program, there was a hamburger stand and softball games. We went home to change Hannah out of her dress and to grab some cash and headed back for a hamburger and hot dog because they smelled so good.
We ordered our food and I was putting the condiments on them when all of a sudden there was a cloud burst of hail. It was a total sheet of hail pouring down on us. We quickly ran to the van. Dave then exited to the field to help the city worker load the piano on to his trailer. Needless to say....poor Dave came back drenched. However, we were nice and dry and enjoying our food in the van watching Dave perform service. What an example he is!
We headed home and finished our lunch. I hear some of the softball games still were played. Not as many as scheduled but still a few. CRAZY! I'm thankful that the hail at least waited until after the girls had braided the may poles!
I think Hannah enjoyed her experience and I hope we can coordinate again next year so she can be part of this tradition.
1 comment:
That is a NEAT tradition!
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