May Day

Text

Throughout the county’s history communities have been conducting parades and festivals. One type of this event was the ever popular May Day. Traditionally held on May 1st, this festival dates to early European efforts to celebrate the start of spring.

Most Shenandoah County town’s held a
May Day parade and festival from the beginning of the 19th century until the late 20th century. Most schools participated in this event and selected May Day Courts who presided over the festivities. White was traditionally worn by participants and garden themes were popular.

This tradition continued until the 1960s when many communities discontinued the practice. However the town of Strasburg’s May Fest is, to a degree, a reincarnation of these events.