Elementary school in the 1950s was serious business. About 36 children in each classroom sat at desks in straight rows, listened to the teacher, and completed written assignments.

There were few, if any, programs, parties or refreshments during the school year.

That is why May Day became such a memorable occasion.

It was, in my memory, the only time family members came to the school and the only time children received any treats.

The event was a glorious time for everyone to be outside and participate in a schoolwide program.

Each grade performed a dance with children wearing appropriate costumes.

I remember in second grade our dance was the hokey pokey, and in third grade it was an Irish washerwoman piece in which we wore crepe paper aprons and had flowers in our hair.

Mary (Diehl) Markley recalls her second grade dance was Waltz of the Flowers. Her mother made capes for the girls to wear.

The highlight was the Maypole dance for the sixth graders who held the streamers attached to the pole and wove them, over and under, while a recorded English folk dance supplied background music.

I remember the Maypole dance was so much fun but ended too soon. I was wishing we could do it all over again.

The May queen was a sixth grader who was accompanied by several other girls all dressed in their Sunday best as they processed onto the court set up in front of the Schnecksville school building.

Mothers and younger brothers and sisters watched from the sidelines, but most of the fathers were at work.

Afterward, we received a small carton of orange drink and a small Dixie cup of ice cream.That was our end-of-the year treat.

Doris (Holben) Schwoyer recalls May Day was a grand occasion at the Ironton school in the 1950s.

“Every year we looked forward to it. It was just lovely and grand,” Schwoyer said.

In notes she saved from that time, Schwoyer stated her fourth grade class performed a Dutch dance with everyone wearing Dutch hats.

The girls wore fluffy skirts and aprons.

In sixth grade, Schwoyer was an attendant to the queen and helped place the crown on her head.

Younger children were seated in front of the court as flower girls. The queen performed a dance routine of her own.

The Ironton celebration also included the Maypole dance.

Although decades have passed, fond memories of May Day live on.

The event was a happy occasion. It was an end-of-the year celebration for elementary school children after months of study and hard work.