Maypole dancing and May Day
Maypole dancing is a tradition of the May Day celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere which celebrated the first day of spring. Children in NSW public schools performed maypole dancing from the 1870s to 1960s at sports carnivals, school picnics and special events such as Empire Day and the annual combined public schools display at the SCG.
Maypole dancing is a favourite activity of many of the school children who visit the Schoolhouse Museum.
The B/W image shows maypole dancing at the Tantawanglo PS school picnic. Image source: State Library of NSW
Origins of May Day from The Week UK
