May Day, the first day of May is celebrated around the world. It has a number of meanings. In many other countries, it is a celebration of spring and the coming of summer and a celebration for the workers! Work On!

Loyalty Day, May 1st is also known as Loyalty Day – an opportunity to express and reaffirm our loyalty to the USA. In proclaiming this day, President George W. Bush wrote: “We express allegiance to our Nation and its founding ideals, we resolve to ensure that the blessings of liberty endure and extend for generations to come.  On Loyalty Day, we reaffirm our allegiance to our country and resolve to uphold the vision of our Forefathers. We should also take a moment to appreciate the members of our armed forces who are displaying the ultimate in loyalty and service to protect our freedoms, and liberty, and our way of life.”

Dover Days – our State Capitol’s Events | Dover, Delaware

Come join in the fun all weekend long, as Dover, Delaware celebrates the exciting history of our First State’s Capital City!  You can claim Dover, Delaware, the capital city of the First State, as your state capital  May 3-5, 2013 during the 80th anniversary celebration of the Dover Days Festival!

This year’s event will kick off the week prior to Dover Days with a series of programs throughout the county in celebration of our heritage, culture and the arts. The festival is a blend of traditions and modern attractions that brings people to Delaware from all over the Mid-Atlantic Region. Dover Days is the county’s largest festival and one of Delaware’s longest-running events that celebrates First State history.

Here are a few fun facts about Dover Days:

• The event was started in 1933 as a home and garden tour. To celebrate the 80th anniversary, a garden tour will be held on Sunday, May 5.
• It is a jam-packed weekend of fun for the whole family — from the Kids Zone to the classic car show and 350 artisans, crafters and food vendors, you’ll find something for everyone!
• You can see 300 children in colonial attire dancing around the maypole on Dover’s historic Green.
• Explore Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War II encampments.
• Visit Woodburn, the home of the Governor.
• More than 40 food vendors will serve up everything from delicious barbecue to popcorn, peanuts and pizza.
• For more information about Dover Days Festival, visit www.doverdaysfestival.com

What is a May Pole?  A tall pole that is traditionally erected for May Day celebrations, usually  decorated with flowers and with long colored ribbons attached at the top. Dancers each take hold of the end of a ribbon and dance around the pole so that the ribbons become interlaced in colored patterns around the pole.

Why the May Pole?  It was thought that the day(May 1st) divides the year into half. The other half was to be ended on November 1. Celebrate!