ENID, OK - The 109th Annual May Fete celebration will take place Wednesday, May 1st at Government Springs Park at 6:00pm.
MAY FETE CEREMONY
Enid High May Fete is a rite of passage for the senior class of Enid High School. It comes from an old English May Day tradition which celebrates the coming of spring. Enid High turned this tradition into a ceremony that not only welcomes spring but also honors the senior class each year. It began in 1915 and has changed very little over the decades. Students dress in their finest attire and walk as couples around Government Springs Park. There's music, pageantry, the May Queen, her Herald, and their Court. Throughout much of its history, the May Queen, Herald and Court were elected by the senior class.
The May Fete ceremony usually begins with the processional around Government Springs lake, the crowning of the May Queen and the winding of the May Poles. The processional begins with a color guard, the Queen and Harold and the Court attendants. It is then followed by the senior class, who walk along the sidewalk and over the springs arched bridge, then around the lake to the waiting crowd.
The senior class and audience then watch as the Queen and her Court are seated on a throne covered by the springs gazebo. The crowd watches as the Herald crowns the Queen. She is presented with traditional red roses, a sparkling crown and the traditional May Fete kiss. All are then seated as they enjoy the sophomore and junior girls winding ribbon around the May poles.
LIST OF MAY FETE QUEENS & HERALDS
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History of Enid High's May Fete
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By Ruth Ann Brown Sailors, Class of '57
(The following history of May Fete was authored in 1993 by Ruth Ann Sailors, long time art teacher at EHS and May Fete sponsor. Ruth Ann is responsible for collecting the history of May Fete which is displayed in the halls of EHS. Compiled by Gary L. Brown)
A few hours before sundown on an evening each May, people gather on a grassy hillside in Government Springs Park to view the colorful and romantic panorama call May Fete. This festival is based on an old English May Day tradition which celebrates the coming of spring; however, at EHS this occasion is used to honor the senior class each year. Since 1915 May Fete has featured students, who, with music, pomp, and pageantry, pay homage to their May Queen, Herald, and Court.
May Fete has changed little since its inception in 1915. The first May Queen was elected by the student body and crowned by the President of the Senior Class, who served a her Herald. Later, the Herald became an elected position. In the early years, Queens chose their attendants, who likewise, chose their escorts. Presently, all members are elected by the senior class. Although the first Queen was crowned at Government Springs Park, other has been crowned on the front steps of the school, on the football field, or in the auditorium. Elaborate themes were used incorporating extensive costuming and pageantry. Traditionally, a formal or informal dinner party has been given for the Court member by the Queen and Harold. Some unique situations have transpired through the years. For example, several Queens later married their Heralds. A pair of twins were elected one year, which naturally called for two Heralds. An early Queen rode her horse around the lake as part of the pageantry, and a Harold led the procession wearing a white plaster case on his broken foot. One Queen passed the legacy on to her daughter, and several sisters have shared the honor of being elected Queen in their respective graduating years.
Today, May Fete consists of the processional around the lake, the crowning ceremony, musical entertainment, and the winding of the May Pole. Preceded by a color guard, the Queen and Harold with the Court attendants and a tiny cortege of preschool children serving as pages, lead the senior processional along the sidewalk between green lawns, over a large arched bridge, and round the lake at Government Spring Park. Flanked by a quiet waterfall, the fountained waters of the lake reflect the mingled hues of colorful gowns as strains of music float on the evening breeze. Light perfumes blend with roses and spring flowers trailing over the trellises in the park’s gardens. For one elegant evening, every senior is able to participate in a royal procession with young men escorting beautifully gowned young ladies.
After the procession circles the lake, the Queen and her Court ascend the steps and are seated on a throne within a Greek-styled gazebo. The seniors sit nearby to view the crowning of the Queen. The Herald presents her with traditional red roses, a sparkling crown, and a kiss to seal the moment. Everyone is entertained by the EHS choir and bank. Strains of "Come Touch the Sun," play as sophomore and junior girls wind a multi-ribboned May pole in front of the gazebo. As the sun sinks behind the hill, nostalgia settles in the hearts of the young and old since May Fete signals the departure of another senior class. The evening ends with an all school dance held in honor of the seniors.
Sustaining its popularity with students and patrons through the years, May Fete has endured disastrous floods, times of war and depression, changing social attitudes, and dress styles. May Fete is a unique Enid High tradition that has and will continue to bond decades of Plainsmen together in heart and spirit.
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