How to celebrate May day this Bank Holiday Weekend

What to do this May Bank Holiday to celebrate May Day across Kent

Across the country people will be using celebrating the coming of Spring at traditional May Day events. But what is May Day and what does it mean?

May Day is an event that has been celebrated in some form by nearly every nation across the world for centuries, in various forms.

In Britain, it comes from the Pagan and Celtic celebration of Beltane, which was a festival held on the 1^st May to celebrate the beginning of Summer (It falls almost exactly halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, which marks midsummer). The idea was the thank nature for all that is coming back to life, or in some cases giving offerings to ensure the Summer will be fruitful. This was especially true for communities with cattle.  Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Huge bonfires were lit and animals made to walk between them to protect them over the coming months.

Another symbol of celebrating Summer was the May pole.

Now a classic image of village and town fairs, the origins and meaning of the May Pole has continually been contested.  The decorative ribbons that hang from a tall wooden pole is danced around by children as dancing was a common way of celebrating Summer.

Over time all these rituals got mixed up with Christian symbols and celebrations and other peculiar traditions of local towns and villages and we are left with what happens now. The traditions largely died out by the early to mid 20^th century, but thanks to neo pagans and an interest in local cultures the festivals and old ways are enjoying somewhat of a revival.

What is Jack in the Green?

The Jack in the Green festival was revived in 1976 in Whitstable and has been going ever since. The idea of someone dressing as Jack in the Green, sometimes as the green man himself (an ancient symbol of Summer), emerged from an older May Day tradition in which milkmaids carried milk pails that had been decorated with flowers and other objects as part of a procession. These slowly became more elaborate until it was taken over by Chimney Sweeps who wore a pyramid of greenery over their head, with the legs still visible. Traditionally Jack o’ the green is woken at dawn on May 1^st.

Other traditional sights include Morris dancers, a May queen, music and dancing, sometimes cheese rolling, along with fetes and lots of floral decoration.

Although May Day is on May 1^st, the festival is traditionally held on the first bank holiday that falls in May. This year it will fall on May 7^th.

So how are you going to celebrate it?

 

Our top events for May Day across Kent:

Rochester Sweeps festival.

Saturday, 5 May – Monday, 7 May

Probably one of the biggest May Day events in Kent, the Rochester sweeps festival has gone from strength to strength. Read all about it over on our web post about it: https://www.communityad.co.uk/medway-sweeps-festival-2018/

 

Hastings Jack in the Green festival

4th – 7th May, various locations & times

The Jack in the Green Festival is an annual event that takes place in various parts of Hastings. It’s a four day event which attracts thousands of people every year and is a true British May Day celebration not to be missed.  The main event is on the May Bank Holiday Monday, with the Jack in the Green parade itself which begins at 9.45am at Rock-a-Nore Road and finishes on the West Hill.

See the website for more details: https://www.visit1066country.com/whats-on/jack-in-the-green-festival

 

Jack in the Green escapes to Rye

7th May – 19th May Rye, East Sussex

Like a Challenge?
18 Jack’s are rushing over to Rye to hide in various locations and we need your help in catching them!
Quiz sheets can be picked up from the St.Marys Centre or the Heritage Centre in Rye.
Simply spot a Jack, write where you saw him on your quiz sheet next to the number he has on him and when your done return to St,Marys Centre by 18/05/2018 to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

 

Whitstable Jack in the green

7th May, 10 am at Library, 1.15 at Harbour, 1.45 at Castle, Whitstable

Come and celebrate May Day at Whitstable Castle, with Jack in the Green coming from the Town.

Whitstable Jack the Green is a revival of the old May custom, organised by the Oyster Morris side and the highlight of their calendar. It’s one of the longest established revivals of this type, dating back the the mid 1970s. Jack is a greenery-covered man like a giant May Garland symbolising the Spirit of Spring and is accompanied by  plenty of morris dancers and musicians. There is a procession through town culminating in dancing at the Castle.
Numerous displays and stalls open all day.
Entrance by donation. This event is run by local people for local people.

 

Broadstairs May Fair

May 5-7^th 10-6pm, Broadstairs Victoria Garden

Old time family fair, steam driven galloping horse and lots more, May 5/6/7 in aid of Broadstairs water gala, please come along and support this community event traders welcome phone 07789742828

See the Facebook event page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/804359446420986/

 

Capel Primary School May Fair

Saturday 05 May 2018, 12– 3 PM

The annual May Fair at Capel Primary School is one not to miss. We have the traditional maypole dancing and May Court along with inflatables, craft stalls and Live music.

The annual May Fair at Capel Primary School is one not to miss. We have the traditional maypole dancing and May Court along with inflatables, BBQ, tea and homemade cakes, craft stalls, face painting and Live music. There is even the chance to soak the head teacher in the stocks.
Capel Primary School, Five Oak Green, Tonbridge, TN12 6RP

 

Hever Castle May day festival

5 May 2018 – 7 May 2018, 10.30-18.00

Celebrate May Day at Hever Castle & Gardens over the early May Bank Holiday. The May Day Festival runs from 5 to 7 May with a host of customs and activities for all the family to enjoy.

•Join the Lord and Lady of the May on the Castle Forecourt and see the crowning of the May Queen. Visitors are invited to dance around the Maypole with brightly coloured ribbons intertwined.
• Meet the mythical Jack-in-the-Green and follow the Green Man from folklore in a traditional May Day procession through the gardens
• There’s also a Green Man trail through the Castle and children can have their face painted* (*additional charge).

See the website for more information: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/may-day-festival/

 

 

Or for something a bit different you can always travel back in time to celebrate the 1940’s over in Sandwich.

 

Sandwich Salutes the 40’s

5^th-7^th May, Various locations across Sandwich

This will be the 2nd Sandwich Salutes the 40s event, and it is something that the whole town gets involved with! The 40s are still living history for some and a period that proved pivotal in our islands very survival. From air raids to rationing, from the Home guard to Doddle-Bugs the 40s is a decade unique in its history, music and fashion. This year the re-enact groups include The P22 Gunboat and crew. The Desert Rats Living History Group and many more groups. With over 100 re-enactors booked to appear along with their equipment and vehicles the weekend is set to be a fantastic family day out.

For more information please see the website: https://sandwichevents.org.uk/sandwich-salutes-the-40s/

 

Also on this weekend:

 

Loop the Loop festival:

https://www.communityad.co.uk/​looping-loop-returns-thanet-10th-festival/

Margate Food & Drink Festival:

https://www.communityad.co.uk/food-drink-festival-margate/ 

Margate Bookie:

https://www.communityad.co.uk/margate-bookie-host-literary-events-thanet-this-weekend/

 

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