May Day & Beltane Celebration 2024

11am: The gathering begins
Mingle, enjoy the garden, and make a May crown to wear if you like, or a ribbon wand to carry in the procession.

11:30am: Procession to carry the Maypole to the river
The Maypole is a wooden pole decorated with ribbons and garden greenery that represents the Spirit of May. We will use it to bless the garden, the greenhouse, and our new community workspace as we wind our way to the river beach at the NW corner of the Green Anchors property. We will bring the blessings of May to the river, thank her for her nourishing waters, and then receive her blessings in return. We then bring the river’s blessings back to the garden when we “plant” the Maypole in the middle of the Village Green. The route there and back is about 1/3 of a mile along level or gently sloping ground, and the surfaces include bark mulch and pavement.

12pm: Picnic in the garden (Or pavilion in case of rain)
We will lounge on blankets and pillows as we feast on sweet delights. For those who prefer to lounge upright there will also be a few chairs and tables available.

1pm: Community sharing of music, poetry and dance
Read us a poem that paints a word picture of Spring. Bring a lute to play to accompany our lounging. Bring a short performance piece you have been waiting to share with the world. 

Location
The main entrance gate to Green Anchors is on N Bradford street but it is easily missed. Green Anchors is the property directly north of the Cathedral Park, and the gate is by the train tracks across from PDX Strength. More detailed directions HERE.

Parking
General parking is available on the street or at the Cathedral Park boat ramp parking lot. Accessibility parking is available within Green Anchors.

Costume ideas
Spring, flowers, the Green-man or other leafy characters, bees, butterflies, birds, fairies and elves, Renaissance Faire, and anything Alice in Wonderland and/or Mad Hatter’s Tea Party inspired. 

🐝🐝🐝Please note that the Green Anchors gardens are the home of many pollinators including bee hives, and that May Day corresponds with the time of year when honey bees may naturally swarm on a warm day as the Queen and many of her workers prepare to find a new home, leaving the old hive in the care of a new Queen. This actually happened during our very first May Day celebration in 2022! It was quite exciting, nobody was stung, and we got to watch Green Anchors’ garden manager and master bee keeper Tim collect the bee swarm and introduce them to their new hive. We then all enjoyed drinking a delicious Jun, which is a Kombucha like beverage made from tea and honey from the Green Anchors hives.🐝🐝🐝