I came across a May Pole this morning in Prospect Park while walking my dog. What a surprise! I remember participating in these festivities as a child. This is the first one I've seen in decades! May day was once the Celtic festival of Beltane (later known as Mary's Day) and the Germanic festival of Walpurgis Night (English missionary who was canonized on May 1st). The latter was celebrated on April 30 or May 1st in parts of Europe. Often celebrated with dancing and bonfires. The earliest May Day celebrations were in pre-Christian times, with the festival of Flora, who was the Roman goddess of flowers. There is often a crowning of the May Queen at these celebrations. In Ireland bonfires were lit to mark the coming of summer and to banish the long nights of winter. Officially Irish May Day holiday is the first Monday in May. Old traditions such as bonfires are no longer widely observed, though the practice still persists in some places across the country. Limerick, Clare and many other people in other counties still keep on this tradition.
I'm told that girls from Prospect Heights High School, when it was still an all girls school, used to do a May Pole dance at Mount Prospect Park. Since I wasn't here a half century ago, I don't have any photos of that. I wonder if anyone in the neighborhood does?
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
More from Prospect Heights-Crown Heights
Restaurants & Bars|
Radio Bakery Expands With Another Brooklyn Location
Crime & Safety|