Grand May Day
Years ago, when Grand Day began, there were 80 attendees. By 2014, our Grand Day attendance was over 300 people, which exceeded the fire code in our lower school classrooms. Though blessed with an event so loved that it has become overgrown, we have faced the reality that we can no longer safely and legally manage these numbers in the classrooms.We were not willing to let go of traditions that are loved and filled with beauty, but we had to re-envision them.As part of this re-envisioning, our traditional May Day became Grand May Day, a true May Festival. The day begins with a delicious brunch prepared especially for the grands by the senior class. During this time, the grands are asked to share their own experience of becoming an adult and going out into the world. Their stories and wisdom are treasured by our students. Meanwhile, the whole community shares in the making of May crowns, hair braiding, and musical entertainment from our amazing students. As the time for the maypole procession approaches, we gather as the kindergarten sets out on a search for the May King and Queen (who will it be?…shhhh, it’s a secret). Once in place, the King and Queen will preside over the procession, which will feature our lower school students and culminate in the ribbon dances by the eighth grade. Following the dancing, the festival will open to face-painting, May Day games, the art show, high school food booths, and an enlivened lower school open house with student demonstrations. Led by their special child, grands will be able to come and go as they please, spending as much time as they want in any given area: Meeting teachers, experiencing curriculum, and sharing in the magic of Waldorf education. We are excited to host this special day where we welcome grandparents and other grand friends to acknowledge their honored place in the lives of our students.