Community Invited To School Festival
Having the opportunity to participate in the maypole dance has become a rite of passage for many of the fifth-graders at Kreutz Creek Elementary School. As they finish out their last year at the elementary school, fourth-grade teacher Renee Bieniasz extends the offer to everyone in fifth grade to sign up to learn the dance steps for a performance at May Day. Bieniasz, who serves as the May Day chair, said that about one-third of the students volunteer to take part, committing to four after-school rehearsals leading up to the main event.
May Day has been a community tradition for decades, and Bieniasz has fond memories of going to the festival when she was a student at Kreutz Creek. However, the maypole dance took a hiatus for many years and was reinstated in recent years by Bieniasz.
The community is invited to join the annual celebration of May Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, at the school playground, 50 N. Lee St., Hellam.
Carnival-style games, a bounce house, face painting, sand art, and a mechanical bull will all be part of the fun for families in attendance. There is a set fee for unlimited visits to the bounce houses and games, and additional fees will be charged for other activities. A disc jockey will spin tunes throughout the event, and students from Eastern York High School (EYHS) athletic teams will help to run several of the game stands. Staff from the Kreutz Creek Library will promote the Summer Reading Program, and Eastern York Area Recreation Committee (EYARC) representatives will offer information about summer camp and activities.
Several Kreutz Creek students will perform musical solos and duets at noon, and the maypole dance will follow at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Kreutz Creek staff members Patti Grilley and Staci Groft are the masterminds behind the locally famous chicken corn soup that will be available to purchase once again at the Teachers Cafe. School faculty will be in the cafeteria on May Day as early as 4 a.m. to begin preparing everything for the day. Hamburger barbecue, hot dogs, snacks, baked goods, and beverages will also be on the menu, along with french fries and snow cones provided by local food trucks.
Proceeds from the Teachers Cafe will benefit a scholarship program that was established in honor of former Kreutz Creek Elementary School principal Eugene Gruver. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded each spring to a graduating EYHS senior who attended Kreutz Creek. Bieniasz said that in the past the scholarship was for students entering the teaching field, but it has since been opened up to all students pursuing higher education due to a decrease in the number of graduates intending to major in education. EYHS seniors interested in applying may obtain an application from the guidance counselor at the high school. The application process also requires writing an essay and obtaining two letters of recommendation.
Attendees may purchase tickets at May Day for the annual prize drawing, set to take place at 3 p.m. as a culmination of the daylong celebration. Winners will be selected for two cash prizes, as well as for a variety of prizes suitable for people of all ages.
Volunteers are needed to oversee the game stands for one-hour time slots during May Day and should sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848aba828a6fa7-kreutz.
Leave a Review