The End of May Day

The last May Day celebrations were help in 1998 with May Queen Susan Winterhalter. In 1999, Baldwin Wallace University switched from a school year that was based on quarters to one that was based on semesters. This change resulted in the school year ending in early May, and therefore, there was no time to hold May Day. Exams for the spring semester were now held in early May and after that school was finished for the year.

May Pole Dance 1913

 

As a result, May Day was moved back to early April. The traditions that were a part of May Day, such as choosing a May Queen and the May Pole dance were replaced with April Reign celebrations. April Reign primarily focuses on competitions between different groups. These include Tug-O'-War, Obstacle Courses, Relay Races, and Pyramid. Today, May Day as it was celebrated from 1920 to 1998 is no longer in existence at Baldwin Wallace University.

Crowning of Barbara Morr 1966

Citations:

“April Reign.” Baldwin Wallace University. Baldwin Wallace University, 2013. Web. 28 March 2015.
Baldwin Wallace University Archives