For some, Spring is when it stops snowing (if you live in Ithaca, that can be late May though). For others, it’s the first songs of incoming migrating birds. And of course, Spring is when flowers first come out, and fill many hearts with a smile.
Beltane is traditionally observed on May 1, between the spring equinox and midsummer (the summer solstice). Many American families (mine included) celebrated by decorating with flowers and leaving baskets of flowers for neighbors.
For me, Spring represents a time of reflection and renewal, in line with so many spiritual practices. In addition to the appearance of green on the trees and the return of nesting birds, artists collect and hatch new ideas (for example, I have a brand new project I’m announcing May 4!). Best of all, circus performers have moved outdoors, where it’s either a) finally warm enough and the snow is (mostly) gone, or b) not yet too hot to prohibit outdoor funness. It’s a time for coming together as a community, a time for reflection and rebirth, and a time for blossoms and new growth. Surprising to absolutely no-one, there are a LOT of spring theatre festivals!
In the Northern Hemisphere, Spring theatre festivals are here
Some of these theatre festivals are cultural, and some are environmental. You can go on plant identification walks or follow bird migrations paths (The Finger Lakes Land Trust does both in awesome FREE events throughout the spring!). You can cheer for the organizations, artists, veterans, and children in your home town as you watch the local parade and eat treats from a food truck! And guess what? May 11 is World Migratory Bird Day!! Check out your local Birding community to see celebrations around the USA, including all day events in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana.
And if you prefer plants to birds, your local Land Trust or Park Service probably has spring events. Or you could go biiiig, and attend the International Wildflower Festival in Slovenia!
But Holly, what about Circus? You promised us Circus!
Friends, more of you have small circus groups in your area than you realize. There are large-scale celebrations of youth in Circus around the globe.
And my own beloved Circus Culture, the best circus ever, has classes for anyone and everyone, and free performances by 6 different troupes, kids to adults in May and June. The troupe I’m in has a show called Loose Ties!
This year for me, Spring celebrations will culminate in Ithaca Festival. Ithaca Fest showcases fun activities for children, a parade with floats made by everyone from an eldercare center to a preschool, and a myriad of performances. The bands this year include the local High School and a Chainsaw Band! It’s a terrific way to celebrate all the beautiful bits of the mosaic that make up your community. And most town festivals have games, food trucks, local vendors, and other “thank goodness the weather is good enough to actually DO OUTDOOR STUFF with other humans” events.
Spring is a time to reach up, reach out, and blossom, whenever in the year your Spring happens.
