May Day is an often overlooked holiday that dates back many centuries as a celebration of Spring.

The one place in Michigan were you can find this ancient festival commemorated is the Maypole Fountain in Frankenmuth. Michigan's Bavarian-themed village harkens back to the Old World and European ways. It is in that setting that the Maypole feels right at home any time of the year.

The development of May Day in Europe, according to Wikipedia, arose

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As Europe became Christianised, the pagan holidays lost their religious character and May Day changed into a popular secular celebration. A significant celebration of May Day occurs in Germany where it is one of several days on which St. Walburga, credited with bringing Christianity to Germany, is celebrated. The secular versions of May Day, observed in Europe and North America, may be best known for their traditions of dancing around the maypole and crowning the Queen of May. Fading in popularity since the late 20th century is the giving of "May baskets," small baskets of sweets or flowers, usually left anonymously on neighbours' doorsteps

With Frankenmuth's deep Germanic heritage, it's no surprise that the May Day tradition of the Maypole is on display year-round.

The bronze Maypole fountain statue, which features children dancing around a maypole, is located along Main Street at the city's Visitor Center north of the Cass River bridge and the Bavarian Inn.

Here's what it looks like in action:

Vintage Frankenmuth

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