By Michelle Horst
Hornsea’s MayFest will see the crowning of a new May King and Queen as the festival blends modern and traditional celebrations to mark the start of summer.
The all-day event takes place on Sunday, May 19, and represents the harmony and joy to be found in the changing of the seasons. A spring- themed fancy dress competition will see the winners crowned May King and Queen.
Designed to offer something for all the family, MayFest will happen across several of the town’s venues. Celebrations not to be missed include traditional dancing from Makara Morris, Beverley Garland Dancers and the Green Ginger Garland Dancers.
During the day, a procession will leave Hornsea Museum in Newbegin to make its way to Memorial Gardens, and the museum is inviting families to bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden.
A volunteer at the museum said: “It’s going to be a lovely day. We have a spring-themed fancy dress for the children and a children’s maypole. There will be homemade refreshments all day, too. The winners of our parade will be crowned May King and Queen.”
Honouring the spiritual and occult origins of May festivals celebrated across the ages, a May Fair organised by Silver Moon of Southgate will be home to a range of crafts, handmade wooden toys, jewellery, therapists and artists. The fair will be held in Hornsea Town Hall and will be centred on the pre-Christian routes of English folk traditions.
Organiser and shop owner, Sharon Rawdon, said of the fair: “It’s a celebration for us about the cycle of life. It has a fiery energy. It’s also very joyous because it’s about looking forward to new beginnings.”
Bringing the day to a lively close, Hornsea Ceilidh Band will hold a family ceilidh on the Hornsea Town Hall’s first floor, accessible by stairs and lift.
The full schedule of the MayFest is:
- 10am to 4pm: May Fair, Hornsea Town Hall
- 11am: May Festival welcome
- 11.15am: Parade from Hornsea Museum to Memorial Gardens
- 11.30am: Morris dancing, Memorial Gardens
- 12.45pm: Picnic lunch, maypole dancing and crafts, Hornsea Museum
- 1.30pm: Children’s fancy dress parade, Hornsea Museum
- 2.15pm: Family ceilidh, Hornsea Town Hall.
- 4pm: close
Tickets are £2 and can be purchased from the Hornsea Museum in advance or on the day.
