OPINION: Remembering May Day pole dancing celebrations
Longtime Medford resident May Marquebreuck on what May Day was like when she was growing up here.
By May Marquebreuck
May Day history can be traced back to the ancient world when the Romans celebrated the Floralia, which was a week-long festival to honor Flora, the Goddess of Youth, Spring and Flowers. Because the Floralia and the Celtics holiday of Beltane were held on May 1st, both celebrations were combined and became known as May Day in the British Isles.
When this holiday first came to the United States in the late 19th century, it began from a movement demanding improved working conditions by a national federation of unions. Fast forward, in 2026 the theme of May Day is “Workers over Billionaires.” This year, May Day is protesting against ICE and rallying to uphold democracy.
Compare where we are today with May Day festivities to when I was attending elementary school in Medford and this was a day to celebrate beauty, friendship and happiness. Children danced around a decorated Maypole, schools held assemblies and choral concerts. The holiday heralded the coming of spring. Homemade baskets were filled with candies and wildflowers and left on the doors of friends and neighbors.
My memory recalls some of these happy May Day traditions. Where we are today is a far cry from what this fun day had been, mainly due to the world we now live in under an authoritarian government. In 2026, there are activities in Medford on May 1st in support of a “noncooperative movement” throughout the day.
I was fortunate to be a child when people came together and enjoyed the May Day festivities, crowned a May Day queen, and danced around the Maypole. Some of you reading this may remember the “good old days” and will reminisce what used to be an occasion to celebrate in our lives. Tomorrow. I plan to buy some pussy willows and wildflowers and be thankful for having danced around the Maypole. Memories are forever.
May Marquebreuck is a longtime Medford resident.
