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April 27, 2005
May Day
Today was May Day at GPS, and DD and I went over to watch the spectacle. Oddly, I never attended a May Day celebration while DD was a student at GPS, so I was curious to see if it was really as spooky as people say. The actual event surpassed even my inflated expectations. This year the weather made the event especially apocalyptic, and the ceremony was briefly delayed because of some rain.
Once the ritual finally got started, the senior class girls were presented to the spectators. The girls were dressed in beautiful pastel gowns and adorned with fresh flowers. After being introduced individually, they lined up on the lawn, looking like a huge all-female wedding party in search of many groomsmen. The May Queen's retinue joined the presentation and then, at last, the sacrificial virgin appeared, dressed all in white and trailed by two train bearers. The maiden goddess haughtily marched to center stage, was crowned by her Maid of Honor, and then the whole May Court strolled around the lawn to be worshiped by the adoring crowd. They were followed by the entire senior class and then everyone took their seats to enjoy the May Day Pageant.
Several musical numbers followed and there was much dancing and merriment. Selections included songs from Mary Poppins, Chicago, The Sound of Music, and Annie. This was all building up to the traditional Maypole Dance, which is performed accompanied by a song about "shagging in the woods," as DD puts it. The sophomore girls gathered around three maypoles, collected the attached ribbons and they all became dancers, frolicking around the phalli, weaving their magick for fertility and abundance. The event concluded with the singing of the school Alma Mater, and then everyone gathered at a reception on the patio.
And for those of you who aren't from around here, no, I'm not kidding and no, I'm not making any of this up. Really. You can see a photo of the whole pastel-clad group here.
UPDATE: The Chattanoogan has some photos of the event.
Posted by alice at April 27, 2005 08:54 PM
Comments
I have heard of the festivities in the past, and even believed it all to be true, but every time I hear about it, I am still bewildered. those crazy rich folk.
Posted by: bobw at April 28, 2005 09:54 AM
hey i randomly found this and i go to gps and dont worry most people here think its crazy too we were talking about it in class the other day.. how we all think its creepy and superficial but then we were asked if we were going to participate as seniors and all of us said yes we were most likely going to
Posted by: sue at February 4, 2006 05:59 PM