iN PHOTOS: 100th Naramata May Day celebrated in the rain

Students of Naramata Elementary School do the May Pole dance during Monday's century celebration of the event at Manitou Park.

Image Credit: Mark Brett/Local Journalism Initiative

May 23, 2023 - 1:00 PM

A steady downpour was not enough to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people attending Monday’s 100th Naramata May Day celebrations.

Ironically one of the funniest parts of the program was the Naramata Elementary School choir’s choice to perform Naramata Sunshine.

“That song was picked ahead of time and maybe it was a premonition of what was to come, but when you’re from Naramata there’s sunshine in our hearts,” said school principal Jeff Redden at the close of the official ceremonies at Manitou Park.

A flower girl in the 1925 Naramata May Day celebrations, Winifred Workman, now 104 years old, salutes the crowd at the 100th anniversary of the May Day event in the community Monday at Manitou Park.

Image Credit: Mark Brett, Local Journalism Initiative

“Actually, I think this weather almost makes it even better because it shows the resolve of the people of Naramata. It’s just a cool thing to see.

“When I heard the bagpipes this morning I was getting choked up. To see so many people coming out for May Day it just shows what a close-knit community we are.”

It was members of the Summerland Pipes and Drum band who led the young procession across the field at Manitou Park to the pair of May poles which were danced around by children and adults.

Theia Hayden keeps try while waiting for the start of the Naramata May Day activities Monday.

Image Credit: Mark Brett, Local Journalism Initiative

Grade 5 student, Ariana Kaisaris, 10, was one of two incoming ambassadors who will represent the school and the community for the coming year.

“I kind of thought it was not going to work out because I knew it was going to rain,” said Ariana, with a laugh about the song choice. “It is cold and wet like most May long weekends, but it was so good to see so many people come out anyway. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Longtime Naramatian and former May Day emcee John Moorhouse took part in the adult May Pole dance at Monday's annual celebration, the 100th anniversary of the event in the community.

Image Credit: Mark Brett, Local Journalism Initiative

She and classmate Caleb Coghill were selected by fellow students as the ambassadors to take over from outgoing representatives Zac Togyi and Norah Zednai.

Special guest again this year and the oldest returning May Day participant was Winifred Workman, a flower girl in the 1925 ceremonies at age six.

This year’s event was a combined effort on the part of Naramata Elementary School, an organizing committee and the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen.