For decades, a unique celebration has been held in Columbia to welcome the change in season and bring the community together.

"This year's event marks the 80th year the town of Columbia has held this special ceremony," said Ella McCarty, a Columbia High School junior who explained the history of May Day. "This ceremony is a welcoming of spring and a historical tradition that holds character within the town, being one of the only places to still hold this event."

The May Day festivities will take place on Saturday, May 3, in the high school gymnasium, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.

"Students in grades seven to 11 will perform a maypole dance," Ella shared. "Alexis Phillips will perform vocal performances. A lyrical dance will be performed by Reece Schaeffer and Halie Rineer, and the ladies of the court and their escorts will perform a waltz to the song 'Open Arms.'"

The celebration will also include presentation of the members of the court.

Members of this year's court are Sydney Droege, Eva Fanous, Sehrena Finks-Garcia, Laynssa Parker, Isabelle Redding, Madelyn Redding, Riley Schaeffer, Taylor Williams, Breanna Young, Miguel Aviles, Owen Brady, John Buzzendore, Jadin Perez, Loudon Rupp, Luke Rupp, Charlie Vasquez, Alexymahr Whitley and Gage Wolf.

"The princess of the court, who is in ninth grade, is selected with a student body vote in grades seven to nine," Ella explained. "The senior ladies of the court are selected by grades 10 to 12. The queen is then selected by a final vote by the 12th-grade class." The queen will be crowned at the event by the maid of honor, she said.

May Day is a holiday that traces its roots to Europe and ancient festivals to mark the beginning of summer. Celebrated around the world on or close to May 1, the holiday includes elements of nature such as flowers and foliage, the crowning of a queen and the centerpiece of the maypole, a tall wooden pole often painted or decorated with flowers. People traditionally dance around the pole with long ribbons attached to the top of the structure.

Keeping a tradition like May Day going for eight decades requires dedication, commitment and the efforts of a team, Ella remarked.

"This event would not be possible to have without the help of our close-knit community," she said. "We thank everyone that has helped to be a part of this long-holding tradition to keep it alive and running."

May Day is open to the public. There is an admission charge, with one price for adults and one for students and senior citizens.