There will be some changes to New Westminster’s annual May Day celebration after all.
This year, students will be front and centre during the event in Queen’s Park. Members of the incoming Royal Suite will emcee, introduce speakers, local dignitaries and the dances, or even give a speech themselves, said Janet Grant, associate superintendent for the New Westminster school district.
The change comes following the recent departure of three key volunteers who, for many years, were an integral part of the planning team, Grant said.
The news has given the school district a chance to do something different this year, before the May Day task force resumes consultations following the event, she added.
“What we really want to do is shine the light on them (the Royal Suite) as leaders and have them run the ceremony in the park,” she said. “We’re very excited about it.”
Staff also want to invite performing art students from New Westminster Secondary School to participate in the event. Typically, one of the school’s bands is included in the celebration, but Grant would like to see dance or choir students be included, too.
“The kids love seeing the older kids perform, and many of whom in some cases are older siblings,” she said.
The May Pole and folk dances will still proceed as normal.
Following the event, the school district’s task force on May Day will survey parents and community groups for their thoughts on the event, and the feedback the task force receives will inform any recommendations it makes to the school board.
