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After the parade headed to Rocky Point Park and the May Queen was crowned, the festivities would start. The first activity to take place was maypole dancing, which was done by schoolchildren. Originally, all of the events were held on the schoolgrounds and later were moved to Rocky Point Park. Even after the school stopped organizing the event, all the maypole dancing was taught through the school.2
Teaching maypole dancing1953
Port Moody
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May Day crowd1937
Port Moody
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May Day crowd1937
Port Moody
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May Day crowd1937
Port Moody
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Maypole dancing is a long standing May Day tradition. English villagers would cut down a birch tree to use as a maypole. The tree was stripped of all its branches except for those at the top because those leaves symbolized new life. The maypole would then be put up in the middle of the village, and would be decorated with field flowers. Dances would then be performed around the maypole.7
Maypole dancing1930
Port Moody
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Maypole dancers1967
Port Moody
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Maypole dancing1934
Port Moody
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In Port Moody, May Day was a popular celebration. Almost everyone in town would come to the event. Sometimes the only time you would see someone would be at May Day.11
May Day celebration1937
Port Moody
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After the crowning of the May Queen, everyone would take part in the singing of 'God Save the Queen'. The May Queen would then leave the stand and along with visiting delegations, would be entertained at a local resident's house.13
Queen Thelma at the Grand Stand in Rocky Point Park1942
Port Moody
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In the earlier years when the festivities took place on the schoolgrounds, Guy Flavelle, an influential Port Moody resident and brother of Aird Flavelle, the owner of Flavelle Cedar Ltd., sponsored races that children would compete in. In addition to this, there would be a dog show for the children and local community groups, such as gymnastic groups and Girl Guides, would perform. |
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