In addition to the selection of a theme and months of planning each May Day had a Queen who was chosen in March or April from the senior class by popular vote of the student body. The May Queen presided over the May Court which included a Maid of Honor, Ladies in Waiting, Flower Girls, and Train Bearers. The Court consisted of 12-14 girls from the student body but usually from the senior class. The Flower Girls and Train Bearers were often the children of grandchildren of alumnae. Elaborate planning and detail went into the selection of the Queen’s dress and the dresses of her court. The May Queen’s dress was often white, but it was not uncommon to see the May Queen wearing bridal pink while the Maid of Honor wore cornflower blue. All carried flowers ranging from Shasta daisies to talisman roses. The May Day ceremony officially started with the crowning of the May Queen, but the activities for the day actually started in the morning for the freshmen. By custom, the freshmen woke early to decorate the May Queen’s throne and its setting. After the coronation of the Queen, she was carried to her throne where she could watch alongside her court and guests, a colorful program of special dances honoring spring. “Both the peasants and the Lords and Ladies dance during the festivities. To the strains of frivolous music, dainty maidens, and strolling players pay homage to their Queen with dances, pantomimes, and foolish capers. The country folk dance their hearty, vibrant dances and the Lords and Ladies descend from the throne of the May Queen to dance the minuet on the green.” (Pinecone, 1934). Due to wartime conditions and restrictions, the annual Play Day-May Day event was discontinued after the 1942 celebration. From 1943-1947, the College started a new tradition of a Spring Festival which was held in March to allow visitors the opportunity to enjoy the spring blooms of a2aleas, dogwoods, and the red buds on campus. Play Day-May Day resumed in 1948. The last Play Day-May Day combination was held in 195. In 1956, one of the last traditional May Day celebration included an Honor’s Day ceremony. In the early 1990’s, May Day Celebrations were held by the Valdosta State University Music Society at the spring outdoor Wind Ensemble concert. They were staged in the Fine Arts Amphitheater, and each one featured a May Queen, Ladies in Waiting, and Train Bearers. The Queen and her court presided over the festivities and the wrapping of the May pole.

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