Tuesday afternoon, May 4th, the May Day Festival was held at the college. The program began about 4:30 o’clock. A huge throne of white, with a huge white and tinsel butterfly as a background, was arranged on the front campus. The participants in the fete marched in double file separating at the back of the throne, forming a large circle in front of the throne. The attendants came in to the strains of music from the piano. The first couple, Nancy Monroe and Jean Crowell, were dress in green; next, Margaret Hodges and Grace Anderson, dressed in lavender orchid; Julia Boone and Hannah Little in dresses of sunburst; Sarah Taylor and Mamie Brus in blue; then Mary Emma Frazer and Irene Kennedy attired in dresses of lavender orchid followed by Ann Fayssoux Johnston and Mildred Thompson dressed in a color of sunburst. These twelve attendants were a beautiful spectacle as they entered with stately red. Their bouffant dresses of taffeta and tule looked pretty and summery for the occasion. Following the attendants came the Maid-of-honor, Marion Pettus, dressed in a fluffy pink frock of tulle and taffeta. The small pillow bearer and crown bearer, dressed in suits of pink satin, followed the Maid of honor attendants to the throwe. Then all kneeled as with slow and graceful steps the lovely Queen-of-May entered. The Queen, Ruth Hunter, was dressed in a gown of lace over a rose sprinkled slip. Her trian of tulle bordered with silver ribbon was long and flowing. Her small train bearers were attired in suits of pink satin. Upon arriving at the throne the Queen Kneeled while the Maid-of-honor crowned her queen with a garland of roses. The Queen rose, responded, and was assisted to the throne by the Maid-of-honor. The Herald, Sarah Elizabeth Mott, arose and called the Queen’s attendants to come and pay homage to their Queen. The twelve attendants descended from the throne and went through the figures of a stately minuet before the Queen.
When this dance was completed the Herald summoned the clowns to perform their antics before the Queen. Immediately there came from each side of the throne a string of rollicking clowns attired in suits of dark and light blue. Forming a circle the clowns cleverly entertained the Queen by their numerous pranks. After completing their frolicking they stretched out on the ground before the throne.
The Herald again stepped from the throne, this time she called the Rose Buds forth to dance before the Queen. From each side of the circle arose a number of girls, each dressed in pink dress with a rose petal hat. Dancing from their places to form a circle before the throne, they charmingly and beautifully performed their dance. Upon furnishing their dance they returned to their places in the big circle.
Descending from the throne the Herald bade the Willow trees come forth and render obeisance to the Queen. Running lightly from their places in the circle the Willow tree girls, dressed in green with fringe sweeping from their wrists, circled before the throne. Gracefully they danced their swaying steps in willowy manner. At the conclusion of their dance they resumed their positions in the big circle.
Coming from the throne the Herald invited the Glow Worms to flit forth. Tripping nimbly to their places the Glow Worms, dressed in yellow and festooned with tinsel, gayly danced before the delighted Queen. As they concluded their dance the Glow Worms took their places in the big circle.
The Herald called the merry revelers to come and twine the May pole. Two couples from each dance and two couples dressed in lavender gathered around the pole. They danced merrily back and forth around the pole weaving the colored streamers in and out. After the winding of the May pole had been completed the Queen arose form her throne and left the court, followed by her ladies in waiting and maid-of-honor.
At this occasion of the May day fete a large crowd gathered on the campus to witness the beautiful scene. As the performance came to a close expressions of delight were heard on all sides from the pleased crowd.
Queens owes a debt of gratitude to Miss Phillips and Miss King who so efficiently directed the affair and to whom so much of its success is due.
From the front page of Queens Blues, Charlotte, N.C., May 15, 1926
To see a photo of the Queen’s Court, go to:
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/2018236529/1926-05-15/ed-1/seq-1/
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