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Maypole Dancing at Bryn Mawr |
When I attended Bryn Mawr College, May Day was a very special day. May Day is one of the four ancient Celtic cross-quarter days, making it an astronomical holiday as it falls between the March equinox and June solstice. Originating from its Celtic name, “Belthane,” Beltane was a spring celebration that included dancing, singing, special bonfires, and house doors and animals would be decorated with yellow May flowers and ribbons. During this time, in various communities in Ireland, people would visit special wells and the Beltane dew was believed to bring beauty and youthfulness to those around it. The name Bryn Mawr is Welsh.
At Bryn Mawr, you awoke to a wicker basket filled with fresh flowers and trinkets at your door. There were no classes. Everyone wore white. Breakfast was omelets and fresh strawberries and cream. The day was spent with maypole dancing, hoop races, and the like. A prime rib dinner and a showing of The Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn (Bryn Mawr Class of 1928) capped off the day.