Reader Kimberly C dropped us a note to let us know that her Morris dance troupe, The Sound and Fury Morris Dancers will be greeting the sunrise on tomorrow morning at Gas Works Park. Interested in watching or joining in the fun? Here’s the 4-1-1:
May Day and Morris dancing go back centuries to Olde England, which has a similar climate to Seattle. So spring doesn’t really arrive until sometime in May. At some point centuries ago, Morris dancers realized that if they would just dance to wake up the sun, spring would begin and fertility would be returned to the earth. Morris dancing has roots in England’s agrarian tradition, and is supposed to bring renewal to the land, fertility to the crops, and a bounty of hops and apples for the making of Fyne Drynke. May Day is the perfect time to wake up the land for this much-needed purpose.
If you would like to join in this fine tradition, roll yourself down any Wallingford hill before dawn on Tuesday. You will find a grand assembly of Morris dancers in bright costumes, dancing with sticks, hankies, bells and swords. Just so YOU can have spring this year. You’re welcome.
But seriously, bundle up, grab some coffee, and experience May Day like you never have before. Kids dancing with swords. Kilted caperers. Accordions. Traditional May carols. Gasworks Park 5:45-7 am this Tuesday!
Happy May Day, Wallingford. Or, as they said in Old English: Happy Þrimilki-mónaþ!
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I’ll be there with bells on!