The practice has its roots in ancient pagan traditions that were persecuted by the Puritans.

While I had vaguely heard of the Maypole dance over the years, the first one I experienced in person involved schoolchildren in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. My son had enrolled as a fifth grader in ...

I wish I had danced around a Maypole with my mother. I’m not sure why it didn’t happen at least once in her 101 years. At the very least, I wish I had told her I wanted to. “Mom let’s celebrate my ...

PORTALES, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a long-standing tradition in Portales, the Maypole Dance, is a right of passage for seniors at the high school. This year, the Maypole Queen is breaking barriers, proving ...

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TRADITIONALLY, on May 1 communities perform a maypole dance, around a tall pole hung with ribbons that are woven into patterns by the dancers. Such dances are survivals of ancient dances around a tree ...

The author with friends at a Beltane celebration, featuring a Maypole (Photo: Emily Guenther) Beltane is a holiday celebrated by many Earth-based spiritual traditions. It falls on May 1st and is ...