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Woodside celebrates Mardi Gras a couple of months late this year, and May Day 24 hours late, but if history is any indication, the community is going to have a grand and lively party anyway as it participates in its 87th annual May Day parade and carnival on Saturday, May 2.
The parade theme is “Mardi Gras,” and participants are urged to dress accordingly — with masks, beads and colorful clothing.
The parade and carnival are sponsored by the Woodside School PTA. Preceding them are a “Fun Run” beginning at 7:30 a.m., sponsored by the Woodside Recreation Committee; and a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., sponsored by the Rotary Club and held at Woodside Village Church.
The parade begins at 10 a.m., with registration opening at 9 a.m. Parade participants wishing to drive a vehicle are strongly encouraged to pre-register by picking up a form at Woodside Elementary School or by e-mailing kassia@decorvm.com.
The parade will be followed by a traditional May Pole dance and presentation of the Citizen of the Year award in the Woodside school amphitheater.
A carnival and barbecue lunch are next on the agenda. Tickets for the barbecue — $5 to $7 per person — and the carnival may be purchased in advance at the school, or at the event.
Woodside Road between Woodside school and Canada Road will be closed off at 9:30 a.m. Organizers urge people attending the event in cars to arrive around 8:30 p.m.
Bettina Pike, a school board member for eight years, will be grand marshal of the parade. She was chosen in recognition of “her years of hard work, willingness to jump right in and help where needed, and her dedication to the school and community,” according to a press release from the PTA Community Events committee.
Six students were chosen through a drawing to serve on the traditional May Day Kindergarten Court. They are: Wyatt Stenson, king; Charlotte Bourne, queen; Tommy Ashworth, prince; Ava Bouthillette, princess; Alexander Yonehiro, prince; and Kate McCauley, princess.