Queen Renee Bird

1943's Queen of the May, Renee Bird was crowned by her consort, Harvey Gibbs.

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Mendon Utah Logo

Mendon May Day— 1943Mendon May Queen Renee Bird and Consort Harvey Gibbs.

Mendon Plans May Day Events Friday— Traditional May Day celebration —old as the community itself— will be held in Mendon Friday, May 14th, it was announced today by the ward Sunday school superintendency, sponsors of the event. Highlight of the day will be the crowning of the Queen of May, thirteen year-old Renee Bird, at 10:00 a.m., and staging of the maypole dance by twenty-six children. Miss Bird is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Afton Bird. Her escort is Harvey Gibbs, son of Mrs. Vessie Gibbs. The couple will be accompanied by several attendants selected from the eighth grade of the Mendon school. Following coronation ceremonies, the maypole dance will be staged on the public square. This traditional ceremony is accompanied by colorful activities, including participation of several children. At 10:30 a.m. the annual program will be held in the ward chapel, featuring music and various entertainment numbers. Speaker will be Vance D. Walker, mayor of Mendon. Remainder of the day’s events includes a children’s dance at 2:00 p.m., sports contests for youths, a softball game at 4:00 p.m. between town teams of Mendon and Wellsville, and a public dance at 9:00 p.m. at which Mendon’s own orchestra will play. The Sunday school superintendency includes Reeves Bird, superintendent, Durrell Hughes and T. Kay Sorensen, counselors.

Mendon Ready For May Day Celebration— Mrs. Sarah Lavinia [Walker] Hughes, who has celebrated annual Mendon May Day events almost continuously since the fete was originated, and who was one of the first May Queens, will be one of the celebrants Friday when the tradition is continued. The west Cache community will begin festivities at 10:00 a.m. with the crowning of the Queen —Renee Bird— by her consort, Harvey Gibbs. Then the maypole dance will be presented, directed by Jennie Richards, Hazel Copen and Hazel Sorensen, with Ellen Ladle as accompanist. The day’s program includes a program at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, children’s dance at 2:00 p.m., athletics contests and various sports for youth in the afternoon, a softball game between Wellsville and Mendon at 4:00 p.m., ending with a dance at nine o’clock.

1943 Court Members— May Queen Renee Bird, Consort Harvey Gibbs, Patricia Sorensen, LuJean Bird, Marjean Willie Joyce Baker, Edith Jane Baker, Ross Shelton, Alvin Kidman, Boyd Muir, Charles and Don Smith. Crown Bearer, Kent Hughes, Flower Girl Barbara Sorensen.