Update May 18,1998. . . those who came and saw probably don't yet believe. Those who missed it. . . . well there are hundreds of little stories that could be told, pictures & videos to be viewed. We can't duplicate the warmth of the weekend but here's the next best thing.
To summarize it best?
" Lavington has what it takes, truly great people. "


Please send in YOUR stories.

Read what people are saying . . . View some of the photos
of some great Lavingtonites

1998 May Pole Dancers

THURSDAY MAY 14, 1998


The following overview was on this site for 6 months prior to the event.

 

For centuries many people have participated in May Days in various parts of the world. One of Lavingtons claim to fame is its continued interest in the time-honered May Pole dance. May 14th, 1998 will mark the Golden Anniversary of this traditional folk dance and spring celebration in Lavington.
To commemorate this custom the community is inviting all past May Day royalty, organizers, and friends to come back home and attend a gala weekend on May 15, 16, & 17, 1998.
The festivities kick off on the evening of Friday the 15th at the Lavington Community School with a Wine & Cheese Party and a history of Lavington in photos. Saturdays parade will commence at the old school site and travel through Lavington to the park where the May Pole Dance will take place. There will be entertainment in the park throughout the afternoon then the evening will usher in an adult dance at the school till the wee hours of Sunday. Sundays pancake breakfast will be served until 11:00am and again the park will be set up for games and family activities.
Other activities can include local golfing, tour of the glass factory, or simply a walk around the neighbourhood with old (or new) friends.

 

For more information see the Calendar of Events and Event Details below.

1948 - 1998

Lavington May Day Royalty List (1948 - 1998)

List of missing Royalty

Calendar of Events

 

Friday May 15th , 1998

  • 6:00 pm...... Registration/Sign-in at the Lavington Community School.
  • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm...... School Tour
  • 8:00 pm - 12:00 midnight --- Wine and Cheese and School Tour. [fees/details]

 

Saturday May 16th , 1998

  • 12:00 noon --- the Homecoming Parade. [details]
  • 1:00 pm --- May Pole Dance then Intros and Announcements. [details]
  • 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm --- Tea at the School (tea and goodie for a toonie)
  • Registration/Sign-in at the Park
  • 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm --- Entertainment for all. [details]
  • 9:00 pm - 1:00 am --- Homecoming Dance & snacks. [fees/details]

 

Sunday May 17th, 1998

  • 8:00 am - 11:00 am --- Pancake Breakfast. [details]
  • 10:30 am --- Inter-Denominational church service.
  • 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm --- More Entertainment for all. [details]

 

Monday May 18th, 1998

  • THANK YOU for coming, please drive safely home.
    LET's DO THIS AGAIN !

Event Details

 

Camping in Lavington Park

If you are bringing a an R.V. or tent, some camping will be allowed in Lavington Park on School Road across from the school. There are NO hook-ups available so it is important to arrive with empty waste water holding tanks. Once your unit is in place it should not be moved until you are departing in order to minimize damage to the turf. If you use a generator, please bring a board to place it on and be considerate of others in regards to it's noise Some camping will be allowed just outside the park if you have a pick-up and camper and wish to travel about. Showers are available in the school but only for limited times. A schedule will be posted for your convenience. Please bring lawn chairs for the park events. The park must be vacated by 12 noon on Monday.

Camping fee: $20.00 weekend. Pay at park.

 

UPDATE MAY 5, 1998

Campers may only park along the boulevard surrounding the Lavington Park. Sorry for any inconvenience. Washrooms available & limited shower use.

 

Wine & Cheese Party, Registration & School Tour

The Wine & Cheese Party will follow registration at the school. ALL guests should register if possible on Friday evening although there will be registration in the foyer of the school Saturday morning before the parade as well. There is no charge to register other than fees for the various events. The Party will be in the gymnasium and there will be tours through the rest of the school. Also on display in the gym will be a FANATASIC collection of photographs of Lavingtons history. If you have ANY old pictures you could allow us to laser copy please contact us and we'll add them to our treasury for others to enjoy too.

Wine & Cheese Party fee: $10.00 each. Pay by April 15,1998.

[back to Calendar of Events]

 

50th May Day Homecoming Parade

This is THE event of the weekend. The parade will start, as all the parades did years ago, at the old school site at Learmouth Road and Dawe Drive. It will work its way through Lavington then disperse on School Road near Jeffers Park. It will be much larger than past parades and hopefully much louder. There will bands, children, fire engines, floats and all the necessary ingredients required to make a proper parade. There are a few surprises in the works which will be enjoyed by all. This may be a once in a lifetime event for Lavington or it may be the renewing of an old tradition. Time will tell. Come on out and enjoy this one and be sure to bring your camera.
If you wish to participate in the parade be sure to contact Tony and he'll send out a registration form.

Deadline to register for the parade is May 1, 1998

[back to Calendar of Events]

May Pole Dance

Here's the reason the weekend is happening. A tradition carried along for 50 years. Lavington is one of a very few communties left in B.C. where May Day is still an important part of spring. MOST of the guests who arrive for the Homecoming will have had a direct involvement in past May Days in one way or another. Either as May Queens, Page Boys, Jesters, decorators, friends & families of royalty, dancers, etc. Virtually every student who has passed through Lavingtons Schools has played a part in May Day.

The music may now be played from a tape machine (rather than a record or live) but it's still the same music. If your computer system is able to, you can play the music now from the top of this page. The tune is called "Come Lasses and Lads" and the version playing here was created on a computer by first typing in the notes from the sheet music.

The May Pole too has changed a little; the faces are different but the dance remains as does the joy of spring. We hope to see you enjoying this event once again.

This is also the time to publicly recognize and introduce guests, dignitaries, and acknowledge the hard work of the organizers. Come and find out who is who.

[back to Calendar of Events]

 

Saturday Afternoon Entertainment

After the Maypole dancing the Lavington Park will be ready for fun. There will be hamburgers & hotdogs, soft drinks & juice and more. Some games are planned for the children, young and old. Other musical entertainment is being arranged and there will be a beer garden set up for the adults. Rather than give away all the surprises it's probably best to simply state a great time is assured.

[back to Calendar of Events]

 

Saturday Night Dance

Come on out and kick your heels at the Saturday night dance in the school gym. Entertainer, impersonator, and musician James Clack will be ensuring everyone has a great time. Dress comfortable and be sure to register early for this one as there are a limited number of tickets. Eats will be served a little later in the evening by the Kiwanis Club.

Homecoming Dance fee: $12.00 each. Pay by April 15,1998.

UPDATE: May 17, 1998. . . James Clack was replaced
by DJ Kenny from Rockin' Randys

[back to Calendar of Events]

Sunday in the Park

This day is specifically set up for family fun with food and refreshments available. Pancake Breakfast in Lavington Park starts at 8:00 am and will be served up by our own Volunteer Firemen until at least 11:00 am. After pancakes spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the park or participating in some of the many activities planned. There will be face painting, old fashioned races with prizes, clowns and Bounce 'n Play to name but a few.
Avid golfers will likely be 'unsuspiciously' absent.

UPDATE: May 18, 1998. . . Breakfast held on Firehall driveway.

 

RECENT CHANGES

On Saturday afternoon there also will be a 'Toonie Tea' in the School gym. If you miss the display of photographs at the Wine & Cheese, here's your chance enjoy some of our visual history. Just $2 for tea and goodies.

On Sunday morning there will be a service held in the church. This will likely occur at 10:30 am but please check back as the time draws nearer.

Change for Campers..... see above.

Missing Royalty ! ! ! !

We have been extremely successful at sending out personal invitaitions to all past Royalty, however there are a few we have been unable to locate.

 

May Queens:

1952 - Gloria (Hobal) Elgie
1961 - Sharon (Mitton) Harder
1975 - Cathy O'Brien
1976 - Lisa Crawford

Princesses:

1956 - Margaret Beck
1960 - Esther Hensel
1961 - Linda Shinduke
1964 - Colleen Johnson
1965 - Laurie Johnson
1968 - Lois Enns
1968 - Karen Delill or Dilibough
1976 - Barbara Tanner
1976 - Shawna Remple
1979 - Cammy Matheson

Flower Girls:

1954 - Sonia Hruschak
1955 - Marlene Johnson
1961 - Lynn (Seymour) Shymr
1972 - Kathy Jacobson

Page Boys:

1966 - ?
1976 - Steven Svenson

Lavingtons May Day Royalty (1948-1998)

1948 ~ Shirley Brett - 1st to wear the crown ~ Queen Charlene (Drage) Yaremchuk ~ Princess Loraine (Forry) Anderson ~ Princess Joyce (Fester) Needoba ~ Page Boy Peter Kowalchuk ~ Bill Sawka.
1949 ~ Queen Rita (Wolgram) Makasoff ~ Princess Judy (Stamer) Jaik ~ Princess Joan (Anderson) Alexander ~ Flower Girl Carolyn (Davies) Anderson ~ Page Boy Jim Watson.
1950 ~ Queen Freida (Meister) Jahnke ~ Princess Brenda (Wiley) Taylor ~ Princess Sandra (Holweg) Heppel ~ Flower Girl Nancy (Watson) Udy ~ Page Boy Michael Kirk.
1951 ~ Queen Joan (Anderson) Alexander ~ Princess Diane (Osborn) Toth ~ Princess Barbara (Sherk) Cebuliak ~ Flower Girl Deeny (Sherk) Grazier ~ Page Boy Peter Osborn.
1952 ~ Queen Gloria (Hobal) Elgie ~ Princess Sally (Barnes) Nickeforek ~ Princess Emiko (Tsuntsumi) Kordyback ~ Flower Girl Anna (Stein) Cook ~ Page Boy Gordon Davis.
1953 ~ Queen Keiko (Inouye) Mayede ~ Princess Joan (Ruck) Pearson ~ Princess Marianne (Wagner) Bristowe ~ Flower Girl Lynn Shrek ~ Page Boy Bobby Routley.
1954 ~ Queen Barbara (Sherk) Cebuliak ~ Princess Linda Freeman ~ Princess Shanee (Stamer) Hayward ~ Flower Girl Sonia Hruschak ~ Page Boy Jim Noble.
1955 ~ Queen Marianne (Wagner) Bristowe ~ Princess Lorraine (Manton) Charest ~ Princess Truus (Vaneck) Austin ~ Flower Girl Marlene (Johnson) Derkson ~ Page Boy Brain Kakoski.
1956 ~ Queen Joan (Ruck) Pearson ~ Princess Donna Forsythe ~ Princess Margaret Beck ~ Flower Girl Georgina (Wiley) Kowalski ~ Page Boy Alan Roth.
1957 ~ Queen Joanne (McBride) Wallace ~ Princess Carolyn (Davies) Anderson ~ Princess Deeny (Sherk) Grazier ~ Flower Girl Janice (Jacobs) Thomas ~ Page Boy Keith Wiedeman.
1958 ~ Queen Nancy (Watson) Udy ~ Princess Sandra (Desnoyer) Stewart ~ Princess Jacqueline (Kirk) Quast ~ Flower Girl Christine (Sawka) Johnson ~ Page Boy Larry Claus.
1959 ~ Queen Wendy (Eckert) Antoine ~ Princess Evelyn (Ruck) Kirk ~ Princess Hildi (Zinz) Moberg ~ Flower Girl Lynn (Alexander) Mac Leod ~ Page Boy Ricky Ray.
1960 ~ Queen Lynn Sherk ~ Princess Esther Hensel ~ Princess Christine Chiba ~ Flower Girl Kathleen (Zoethout) Vigeantn ~ Page Boy Johnny Vanderlaan.
1961 ~ Queen Sharon (Mitton) Harder ~ Princess Patricia (Ewart) Schweb ~ Princess Linda Shinduke ~ Flower Girl Lynn (Seymour) Shmyr ~ Page Boy George Hannah.
1962 ~ Queen Patricia (Ewart) Schweb ~ Princess Marlene Hensel ~ Princess Janice (Jacobs) Thomas ~ Flower Girl Grace (Burgemaster) Hopp ~ Page Boy unknown.
1963 ~ Queen Christine (Sawka) Johnson ~ Princess Karen (Arnold) Mason ~ Princess Linda (Seimans) Appleby ~ Flower Girl Rose (Hannah) Knight ~ Page Boy Leonard Burgemaster.
1964 ~ Queen Cathy (Routley) Metz ~ Princess Colleen Jonhson ~ Princess Elaine (Sherk) Hanson ~ Flower Girl Sandra (Routley) Miller ~ Page Boy Darry Slizak.
1965 ~ Queen Eileen (Kurant) Burgess ~ Princess Patty (Sawka) Huculak ~ Princess Laurie Johnson ~ Princess Dawn Hanson ~ Flower Girl Donna (Kowalchuk) Erfle ~ Page Boy Ricky Friedrichs.
1966 ~ Queen Terry (Kelly) Headington ~ Princess Gail Arnold ~ Princess Patricia Sherk ~ Flower Girl Wendy Metz ~ Page Boy Len Holtz.
1967 ~ Queen Mary (Horvath) Varreicat ~ Princess Patricia (O’Neil) Shatzko ~ Princess Grace (Burgemaster) Hopp ~ Flower Girl Penny Thorlakson ~ Page Boy Guido Claluna.
1968 ~ Queen Sheron (Purcha) Parks ~ Princess Lois Enns ~ Princess Karen Delill ~ Flower Girl Susan (Bunting) Ernst ~ Page Boy Ronnie Cawthorn.
1969 ~ Queen Barbara (Bunting) Prystay ~ Princess Debbie (Purcha) Valcks ~ Princess Sheila Guenard ~ Flower Girl Carol (Cleverly) Edwards ~ Page Boy Ward Stamer.
1970 ~ Queen Betty Lou (Sherk) Paxton ~ Princess Brenda Cawthorn ~ Princess Terry (Jeffers) Kenkel ~ Flower Girl Aaron Tubman ~ Page Boy Dale Mc Lean.
1971 ~ Queen Margaret (Smith) Ash ~ Princess Debbie (Mc Lean) Reynolds ~ Princess Brenda (Ellis) Winters ~ Flower Girl Donna (Streibel) Bateman ~ Page Boy Bruce Streibel.
1972 ~ Queen Belle (Buettner) Spoule ~ Princess Connie (Swartz) Conlon ~ Princess Julie Regier ~ Flower Girl Kathy Jacobson ~ Page Boy Neil Babiy.
1973 ~ Queen Sandy (Moss) Hughes ~ Princess Veronica Hug ~ Princess Michelle (Tubman) Strong ~ Flower Girl Karen (Lunzmann) Mc Neill ~ Page Boy Randy Meier.
1974 ~ Queen Theresia (Ketelaars) Mc Coll ~ Princess Denice (Thorlakson) Berlinski ~ Princess Kim (Patrick) Rannala ~ Flower Girl April (Stead) Bell ~ Page Boy Ricky Daniels (replacement Austin Babiy).
1975 ~ Queen Lisa Crawford ~ Princess Sherrie (Heichert) Mac Phee ~ Princess Maureen (Lee) Dutra ~ Flower Girl Naomi Riemer ~ Page Boy Sean Mellows.
1976 ~ Queen Lisa Crawford ~ Princess Leslie (Kistner) Gondor ~ Princess Katerina (Tramsek) Kennett (replacement) ~ Princess Barbara Tanner ~ Flower Girl Cindy (Rephin) Hughes ~ Page Boy Steven Svenson.
1977 ~ Queen Shannon Murrells ~ Princess Valerie French ~ Princess Frances (Ketelaars) Coleridge ~ Flower Girl Anita (Goll) Johnston ~ Page Boy Mishael Kormany.
1978 ~ Queen Kathy (Luchak) Knezacek ~ Princess Sylvia (Thorlakson) Pedersen ~ Princess Shawna Remple ~ Flower Girl Rochelle (Jones) Lowe ~ Page Boy Tony Riguidel.
1979 ~ Queen Karen (Lunzmann) Mc Neill ~ Princess Crystal (Carlson) Nykilchuk ~ Princess Cammy Matheson (replacement Allison Purcha) ~ Flower Girl Heidi Coleman ~ Page Boy Tom Clerke.
1980 ~ Queen Monieka (Hug) Holmes ~ Princess Tracy (Mclaren) Kingsley ~ Princess Shannon (Orr) Sawada ~ Flower Girl Nadine Kruger ~ Page Boy Shane Peacock.
1981 ~ Queen Cindy (Rephin) Hughes ~ Princess Chelsea Hubner ~ Princess Helga (Bergsma) Whittaker ~ Flower Girl Amber Davies ~ Page Boy Scott Quesnel.
1982 ~ Queen Kelly (Quick) Kiss ~ Princess Tracy (Arnold) Kissick ~ Princess Michelle (Mauro) Reeves ~ Flower Girl Tina Kirk ~ Page Boy Bryan Bergman.
1983 ~ Queen Coralee Hubner ~ Princess Lisa Kirk ~ Princess Kristina (Stroibel) Cook ~ Flower Girl Terra Mackie ~ Page Boy Michael Mc Morran.
1984 ~ Queen Jill (Thorlakson) White ~ Princess Lana (Hystad) Chimney ~ Princess Kim (Francks) Hanson ~ Flower Girl Chelsea (Mc Crea) Holden ~ Page Boy Matthew Barnes.
1985 ~ Queen Jina Hanson ~ Princess Kristian Moase ~ Princess Laura Balcaen ~ Flower Girl Dana Mc Pherson ~ Page Boy Curtis Yamaoka.
1986 ~ Queen Teri Mc Carron ~ Princess Amber Davies ~ Princess Tammy Peacock ~ Flower Girl Megan Reade ~ Page Boy Cail Stein.
1987 ~ Queen Lisa Stein ~ Princess Tina Kirk ~ Princess Melissa Mauro ~ Flower Girl Sharmon Shaw ~ Page Boy Jason Miller.
1988 ~ Queen Lisa Britch ~ Princess Dawn Cunningham ~ Princess Melissa (Maertens) Sim ~ Flower Girl Christine Hein ~ Page Boy Mark Treen.
1989 ~ Queen Lana Kirk ~ Princess Lisa Reade ~ Princess Jessica Nakucyj ~ Flower Girl Sylvie Acheson ~ Page Boy Kristopher Mc Arthur.
1990 ~ Queen Robyn McEachnie ~ Princess Lisa Nicholson ~ Princess Dana Mc Phearson ~ Flower Girl Denise Lorentz ~ Page Boy Travis Janot.
1991 ~ Queen Melanie Marshall ~ Princess Angel Nordmarken ~ Princess Erin Nakucyj ~ Flower Girl Lynnsey Moss ~ Page Boy Braden Wolney.
1992 ~ Queen Rhiannon Johnson ~ Princess Tracy Anderson ~ Princess Karen Carson ~ Flower Girl Alea Edwards ~ Page Boy Glen Martin.
1993 ~ Queen Jessica Morneau ~ Princess Chantelle Courville ~ Princess Shawna Manton ~ Flower Girl Aaron Lagaden ~ Page Boy Geoffrey Schnyder.
1994 ~ Queen Melissa Schneider ~ Princess Christine Nakueyj ~ Princess Corinne Rephin ~ Flower Girl Lorelei Breitkreutz ~ Page Boy Wade Thoreson.
1995 ~ Queen Holly Mclean ~ Princess Jamie Bissett ~ Princess Denise Lorentz ~ Flower Girl Alicia Buis ~ Page Boy Dylan Metcalfe.
1996 ~ Queen Summer Leischner (replacement Chelsea Hewitt) ~ Princess Courtney Waldon (replacement Jamie Dumont) ~ Princess Chelsea Hewitt ~ Flower Girl Melissa Mclean ~ Page Boy Mitchell Bate ~ Marshal Jamie Rudrum
1997 ~ Queen Morgan Dyck ~ Princess Jessica Metcalfe ~ Princess Chelsey Ladyka ~ Flower Girl Janie Thoreson ~ Page Boy Brandon Clarke ~ Marshal Mitchell Mclean. 1998 ~ Queen Ami Hill ~ Princess Christina Renaud ~ Princess Amanda Renaud ~ Flower Girl Erin Badgero ~ Page Boy Brady Yavis ~ Marshal Michael Szestopalow.