The Forsyth Tradition of May Day

May Day has a long history across the globe, going by many names including Beltane in Scotland, Floralia in Ancient Rome, and Walpurgisnacht in the mountains of Germany. In the 1800s in America, May Day became a day of commemoration for the rights of laborers. The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions wanted to end the poor working conditions and long hours workers faced and held a convention in Chicago, where they proposed an eight-hour workday.

Here in Forsyth and Monroe County, May Day has been celebrated in many different ways. In High Falls in the 1920s, they would hold annual May Day picnics, and this year High Falls State Park is reviving the tradition! Join in the fun on Saturday, May 2nd for an afternoon of delicious food and activities including a cane pole fishing contest, potato sack races, horseshoes, and more. A real Americana Summer event!

While we were doing our research, we learned that Tift College was also well known for its May Day celebration, dating back to the 1920s. Here’s a little history straight from two Tift College alumnae: 

The History of May Day at Tift College, taken from Yesterday at Tift by Eugenia Wootton Stone:

May Day at Monroe College, judging from reading, was simply a spring outing; as observed in recent years it dates back to 1927 when Elizabeth Cook, known to the Campus as Sis, was named the first May Queen. For many years the identity of the May Queen was a deep dark secret until she emerged to take her place in the procession for the actual occurrence. The students voted their choice for the queen, but the results of the voting were never announced. Sometimes not even the girl's roommate knew. This custom then accounts for the continued omission of any reference to May Day in the Chiaroscuro year after year. Annual material had to be in the hands of the printers long before the secret of May Day was revealed.

An incident connected with this program is an interesting side light on the days of the 1930's. When the programs came from the printer a few days ahead of time, there was great consternation in the administration offices! Among the folk steps and games to be staged was, naturally, the May Pole Dance. But that word "dance" was verboten on this campus. What would the Georgia Baptist Convention and some of its leaders say? Some of these might allow their daughters to dance, but would not countenance it on Bessie Tift campus! And Dr. Chamlee, president at that time, was strong in his convictions in the matter-so back all the programs had to go to the printer to be redone, and with "dance" omitted, the changed form read, "Plaiting the May Pole."

“The year I was the May Queen was especially special because it was also the Sesquicentennial of Forsyth and our theme was The Old South. All the townspeople dressed accordingly for the event, and we went all out on campus. I was even interviewed by Dell Ward for her show Date With Dell on 13WMAZ!” 

Ms. Sheila went on to tell us that every year there would be choreographed dances by students to match the theme. Every student was encouraged to join in, and they would practice for weeks leading up to the actual May Day celebration. 

One of our favorite stories Ms. Sheila told us came from her freshman year. She was the freshman representative for the May Court that year, and she convinced some of her single male friends who worked at Robins Air Force Base to be escorts for the ladies of the court. It was a way to honor service members and to bring attention to POWs and those Missing in Action during the Vietnam War. As luck would have it, one couple who were assigned to each other, Kathy Endress and Robert “Bob” Graves, would fall in love, get married, and are still married to this day! 

For a fun stroll down memory lane, check out this archive of digitized Chiaroscuro yearbooks (1910-1986).

Feeling inspired? A great way to start your family's May Day tradition is at the upcoming High Falls State Park May Day Picnic on Saturday, May 2nd! 

Buc-ee's is Coming to Forsyth, GA!

Last week, the Visit Forsyth GA team attended the official groundbreaking event for the new Buc-ee's coming soon to Exit 181 on I-75. We met and took a photo with "Beaver" himself, Mr. Arch Aplin III, got hugs from our furry friend Buc-ee, and took home some pretty cool (and tasty) swag. We look forward to seeing the development unfold over the next 14-16 months, and promise to keep you updated with photos of the construction status! 👀

Progress Projects!

If you aren’t familiar with the Hubbards or the school, we’ve got you covered in our previous blog, “The Hubbard Legacy”, which tells all about the story of William Hubbard, his son Samuel and his wife Louise, and their lasting impact on the education of African Americans in Monroe County (and beyond) through the State Teachers and Agricultural College and the Hubbard Training School (later the Hubbard Elementary and High School). 

The Hubbard Alumni Association celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. We reached out to a few of its members and asked if they would share stories and memories from their time at Hubbard with us, and were delighted by the responses!

Hattie Shannon Williams Malone, Class of 1959

I enrolled at Hubbard High School in September 1959 as a 10th grader. I entered the school with apprehension because I was a new student and I was from “the country” versus being from “town.”

Getting to school was a 14+-mile trek on the school bus. That was what differentiated “country” students from “town” students. (I lived in the Cabiness Community.)

My journey at Hubbard High School was a pleasant experience. I was an academically astute student. Classes were challenging and I was adept in proving my joy in meeting the challenges. Mrs. Ruth King Johnson and the Rev. Adolph Parsons were my favorite teachers. Mrs. Johnson was assigned to teach Business courses, i.e., Typing and Shorthand. How we learned to stroke those keys and identify those shorthand symbols! Rev. Parsons taught Social Studies, and he also taught us life skills. While Mrs. Johnson and Rev. Parsons were dedicated to teaching the subjects assigned them, both were also very concerned that we the students be cognizant of becoming responsible citizens. Mrs. Johnson and Rev. Parsons encouraged us to pursue education beyond Hubbard High School.

Our graduation program was scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 1959. My GPA ranked me number three in my class. I was overwhelmed with jubilance as I was designated to deliver an essay entitled “Grasping The Opportunities for Women in Business.” After graduation from Hubbard High School, I enrolled at Spelman College. I also attended Atlanta School of Business in Atlanta, Georgia. Hubbard High School taught me that my game was not limited.

Kenneth Gantt, 1972-1977

I am Kenneth Gantt, the last of nine children in my family and I started school the year integration began in Georgia. I went to elementary school at Hubbard from 1972 until 1977. My home was less than two miles from the school campus, and I was dropped at school and walked home from school. I have many wonderful memories of being at Hubbard Elementary School and the first one is of my wonderful second grade teacher, Mrs. Elanor Parsons who doted on me from the very first day of being in her class by giving me special treats and gifts and allowing me to take notes to Mrs. Nellie Dumas who was a sixth grade teacher, that gave me even more treats and gifts. I was known as the teacher’s pet for getting to walk from the second grade hall to the sixth grade hall at such an early age.

Another wonderful memory is one of going to the library and checking out book and being read to by our wonderful librarian, Ms. Lovett. The library was always a fun place to read and watch movies on the projector. I remember that my first male teacher was Mr. James Thomas who taught science and math in fifth grade. I was a little afraid of him because the teachers would come to him to paddle the students with behavior problems.

My best year at Hubbard was my 6th grade year, as I had the most beautiful and wonderful teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Worthy. She was the absolute best teacher and extremely loving to me. I recently got to see her as she celebrated her 90th birthday this year. The gifts and wisdom she shared with me and other students are still with me today. My love for Hubbard Elementary will forever remain in my heart and mind.

Annie Ree Hansford Evans, 1956-1967

Throughout my time at Hubbard Elementary and High School, I still today have fond memories. I attended there for my eleven years of school. Moving from elementary halls to walking up the steps to high school hall was a challenge. It was scary at first, but later I grew to love it. Some of my favorite memories were playing basketball, being a cheerleader, and eating lunch with classmates and friends. My most memorable memory was dating my classmate and soulmate of 55 years, Larry C. Evans.

From elementary to high school, I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. The influence I garnered from Hubbard made me who I am today. Now I’m living my best life, traveling the world after teaching for nearly forty years. Today I hope I’ve influenced others how I was influenced at Hubbard Elementary and High School.

To finish things off, let’s tell the story of

the football player that married the homecoming queen:

Kenny Walker

I played football for Hubbard High School as a sophomore and then for Mary Persons my senior year. When I was at Hubbard I was a fullback on the team and then a tight end when I played for Mary Persons. The year I played for Hubbard we had a game against Fort Valley High School that was held on Halloween and every time someone from Fort Valley would tackle a Hubbard player, they would shout “Trick or Treat!” which only made us play harder!

When I was a senior at Mary Persons, our very first game was against Westminster out of Atlanta. We managed to end the game in a tie, which was pretty amazing considering they won the state championship that season. Mary Persons did wind up in the playoffs that year but our stadium was too small and we wound up playing over in Upson County against Thomson High School. When halftime came around we were down 27-0 and when we all got into the locker room, Coach Dan Pitts was so upset with us that he told us all “Just get out!” The whole team was on the sideline listening to the band, feeling pretty down but the quarterback, Denzil Davis, was quick to reassure us that he thought we could win. We held onto the ball for the whole third quarter! And while we did lose 33-26, we sure made them work for it!

Last year I was honored as a Living Legend at St. James Baptist Church, having served as a Deacon for over 50 years and still going strong.

I met my wife, Rosemary Alexander Walker, when we were just kids at Kynette Park. She was playing softball. I was playing baseball. We just started talking and have been talking ever since. I escorted her to prom her senior year and this coming August we will celebrate 53 years of being happily married.

Rosemary Alexander Walker

My time at Hubbard Elementary and Hubbard High School holds a special place in my heart. It was more than just a school—it was a community that shaped who I became. I was actively involved in many activities, including serving as a majorette in the 8th grade, cheering in the 9th grade, and playing basketball during my early high school years. Those experiences helped build my confidence, discipline, and love for teamwork.

Everything began to change during my 10th-grade year in 1970, when the schools were integrated. I transitioned to Mary Persons High School, where I continued playing basketball in both my 10th and 12th grade years. While the opportunity to attend an integrated school was significant, it came with its challenges.

One of the most memorable moments during that time was the issue surrounding the prom. The school initially did not want to host an integrated prom. However, we were determined not to let that stop us. We came together, held meetings off campus, and worked as a group to make it happen. In the end, we hosted our own integrated prom at the Hilton in Macon (formerly known as the Crowne Plaza). That night was more than just a dance—it was a statement of unity, courage, and determination.

Despite the obstacles, there were also moments of great pride. I was honored to be named Miss Basketball at Mary Persons, recognizing my dedication and performance on the court. Even more meaningful was being crowned Homecoming Queen in my senior year. To achieve that during a time of integration meant so much—it represented progress, acceptance, and the breaking of barriers.

All these experiences helped shape me into the leader I would later become. My involvement in sports and school activities grew into a passion for working with young people. I went on to coach various sports, including cheerleading, basketball, and flag football, pouring into the next generation just as others had poured into me. I later served as an Assistant Director for the Monroe County Recreation Department, continuing my commitment to youth development and community engagement.

That same foundation of leadership, resilience, and service ultimately led me into public service, where I served as a Forsyth City Councilwoman for 12 years. The lessons I learned as a student at Hubbard and during the integration of schools stayed with me—teaching me how to lead with courage, stand firm in the face of challenges, and always work for the betterment of my community.

Looking back, my journey from Hubbard to Mary Persons was filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable achievements. It taught me resilience and the importance of standing up for what is right. I am proud of the role I played during such a pivotal time in history, and I will always cherish those experiences.

Meet Chewie!

We love sharing the fun and quirky stories that makes Forsyth so special. Local dentist and all around great guy, Dr. Chel Morris and his staff are wishing you a "May the Fourth" be with you!

According to his staff, in addition to being a big UGA fan he loves Star Wars, too! So much so, there is a bigger-than-life Chewbacca in the waiting room at Forsyth Dental Center. We were wondering what a Star Wars fan is called and found out unlike Star Trek fans (Trekkies/Trekkers), there is no single, universally accepted name for Star Wars fans. For Dr. Morris’ Chewbacca, we are going with how Han Solo or other friends call the Wookiee "Chewie".

Ms. Shasta tells us Chewie is a bit of a fashionista and has the seasonal attire to prove it!

Smartflowers in Forsyth, GA

Did you know that the Meridian 75 Industrial Park has a Smartflower?

Smartflowers are solar panels that have the ability to shift with the sun! They have sensors that track the movements of the sun and allow the Smartflower to angle itself for the best exposure throughout the day. When the weather shifts to rain they close themselves up and even have brushes that self-clean the panels to keep them debris free!

Tift College Arch Gets an Upgrade!

When the Visit Forsyth GA team was driving around town the other day checking on status of current developments under construction, we noticed another work crew out giving Tift College's iconic arch a new paint job! We had to pop back out for a pic of its spiffy new letters to share with y'all. Thanks to the Georgia Department of Corrections for keeping their campus a point of community pride!

Bagpipes Open New Exhibit at Monroe County History Museum

On March 14, The Monroe County History Museum kicked off America’s 250th Anniversary with the grand opening of its new exhibit, Culloden: 250 Years of American Independence. The ribbon cutting, held during the city's annual Forsythia Festival, was serenaded by the Mercer University Pipes & Drums in honor of Culloden's origins. If you missed it, catch our video recap at the link below, and be sure to go check out the exhibit for yourself! Part I is on display now through August, at which time it will switch out for Part II.

About the Exhibit:

Step back in time to explore the revolutionary sparks that transformed Georgia and Monroe County. This epic journey is told through the eyes of Culloden—one of Monroe County’s oldest settlements. This project is supported in part by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly.

Q1 Recap Now Available

If you haven't had a chance to check out our new Reports webpage, now's the perfect time! We've just added a recap of our first quarter 2026, which somehow surpassed both last quarter and the first quarter of 2025. Just when we think we've squeezed in all that can be squeezed into a quarter, and set new records for our metrics, the next quarter comes along and tops it! Even a spike in bots can't burst our bubble—adjusting for that, traffic to our site is still up 14.5% over last quarter, and 158.75% up year-over-year. If that's the kind of numbers we're seeing in our historically lowest quarter of the year, we sure can't wait to see what the rest of 2026 brings!

Save the Date: Main Street Market Opens May 1

Forsyth Main Street is bringing back the Main Street Market starting on Friday, May 1. Every Friday from May through September, stop by Forsyth City Hall from 9AM - 5PM for local fresh produce, artisan crafts, and more!

And every third Friday, starting June 19, you can enjoy Lunchtime Live in front of City Hall. Featuring a new food truck and local musician each moth, it's a perfect opportunity to take a breather and enjoy good food and music!

Don't Miss The Summer Concert Series!

Forsyth Main Street is hosting their annual Summer Concert Series the first Saturday of the month beginning on May 2 on the square in Downtown Forsyth!

Kicking off an amazing lineup is a favorite from last year, BMuzick Band. Head on down to Johnston St. at 7:30PM and dance the night away to Classic Oldies, Top 40 Hits, Motown, and more! 

June 6 – Something For The Soul playing Classic Soul and R&B you can move to!

*July 4 – Mass Affect Band playing Funk, Country, Jazz and more before Fireworks over Forsyth starts at 9:30PM

August 1 – Departure: A Journey Tribute Band playing your favorite hits from Journey!

*This concert will be held at Ingram Field across from Forsyth City Hall

National Travel & Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is the U.S. travel industry’s annual tradition of recognizing the essential role travel plays in powering our economy, strengthening communities and connecting America. This year, NTTW will be May 3-9. To celebrate, the Visit Forsyth GA team will visit our local hoteliers and other tourism partners bearing gifts and refreshed marketing materials to help them prepare for the busy summer season.

We invite you to join in the celebrations, too, by making a point to 'play tourist' that week and visit restaurants, museums, state parks, and other tourism attractions at home or abroad! You'll find travel inspiration for the City of Forsyth and Monroe County on our website, as well as reports showing the impact of tourism on our local economy.