As the weather warms up and we prepare for spring, students at Columbia High School are gearing up for a tradition that's been around for decades.

The annual May Day festivities will take place on Saturday, May 2, in the high school gymnasium, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the ceremony will start at 7 p.m.

Students in grades seven through 12 will participate in the activities, with students in grades seven through 11 performing a traditional maypole dance.

"Alexis Phillips will perform vocal performances," said Ava Broome, a junior who is coordinating the event. "A dance will be performed by Gracelynn O'Dell. Myrah Baker will be performing a baton routine. The ladies of the court and their escorts will perform a waltz to the song 'Open Arms.'"

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

This year's members are Brynn Bigler, escorted by Ethan McNair; Delaney Burke, escorted by Parker Lutz; Morgan Gamber, escorted by Gage Wolf; Makenzie Kuhn, escorted by Kyovany Woodard; Ella McCarty, escorted by Luke Rupp; Sadie VanAulen, escorted by Troy Tillman; and the princess of the court, Reece Schaeffer, escorted by Avery Gamby.

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

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.

The May Day celebration has been a tradition at Columbia High School for more than 80 years. Ava emphasized that the festivities rely on support from people beyond the school's walls.

"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."

She added that the festivities are fun, but that the celebration also serves to remind people of Columbia's traditions.

"The ceremony is important to Columbia because it 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," she said.

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