May Day Beginnings ~Some Thoughts
The beginnings of Mendon’s first May Day have been traced back to the early spring of 1863. A group of young girls, feeling the exhilaration of the fresh springtime air, walked, jumped, skipped and perhaps even ran with excitement toward the old millpond, some three miles to the south of Mendon. Recent military events in the Cache Valley had created a new sense of safety among the early pioneer settlers who were then still living at the time fort-style for protection from the Indians, and the young ladies of the newly settled town were going to take full advantage of it. Picking the native spring flowers from the beautiful Cache Valley floor, placing them in each others hair as they joyfully went, collecting beautiful bouquets and laughing with each other as they enjoyed the beauty of the fresh countryside, the soft warmth of the spring sun. History has given us the names of two of these young women, Mary Willie and Seny Sorensen, the rest we could surmise, for there were by this time several more families added to the settlement at Mendon.
In the native countries of their birth, springtime had always brought with it a celebration of the season; they had all celebrated May Day, both in England and the Scandinavian countries as children. At the time, no reason could be seen to not elect from among the assembled group of young friends, a Queen of the May for their own. Thus it was done, a group of girls choose from among them, a queen. The method of selection is not known, but the first Queen of the May in Mendon was Seny Sorensen who was crowned on that warm spring day with a fresh wreath of woven springtime flowers. Another of the young women would have stood behind her, said a few words, and placed the beautiful floral wreath, still fresh with the scent of spring upon young Seny's head.
From this early time until this very day, Mendon has continued a proud tradition of celebrating the return of spring by honoring the youth of our local area. The dances are taught, songs are sung, steps are memorized over and over and then you will hear the wondrous sound of some sixty young school girls, praising the queen in verse, piano playing in the background. A queen is to be crowned on the town square each year, the first Saturday in May. Beginning at about ten a.m. most years, and lasting until just after Noon time, including the program held at the nearby church. Yes, it can still be heard in Mendon rain or shine, outdoors if at all possible, but indoors if need be. Come by and visit with us.
Those, whom established the tradition in Mendon, would most likely recognize it, as it exists today. I think this is due to the fact that commercial concerns are usually not ever allowed to spoil it. It is just the good people of Mendon, their young Queen, our little sons and daughters, all taking one spring morning from each year to get together on the old village green. Overhead we will wish for blue-bird skies, white snow capped mountains in the distance, lushes green grass and dew on everyone’s shoes ~ a time to both cherish and reflect on together. A time for family, friends and the many returning citizens of Mendon.