PLANTING & DANCING
Squash Celebration Day & Bealtaine Eve
WEDNESDAY 30th April 12-2pm & 6-8pm
Our annual celebration of all things Squash this year falls on Bealtaine Eve so that means planting Squash seeds and dancing…as well as eating, chatting and gathering around the fire to mark the start of summer!
Bealtaine is the Gaelic/Irish crossfire festival next point of the 8-Fold year, sitting half-way between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, marking the beginning of summer. At Squash, we celebrate this a potent time, when the spring sap is rising, by mixing up more traditional and contemporary folk elements & customs including Maypole dancing*, altar making & nature crafting.
*At lunchtime and in the evening, join in Maypole dancing in the garden and on the street! No experience necessary, just enthusiasm for this traditional fertility folk dance around the Squash mini-Maypole with live music from local band Kaloco (evening set).
12-2pm at the Grapes Community Garden
- garden Maypole with Willy on the squeezebox
- plant many varieties of squash seeds
- add to the communal altar
- make a headdress
- enjoy fresh-picked herb tea & spring foods
6-8pm at Squash
- street Maypole with Kaloco band
- gather around the Bealtaine fire
- street drawing
- make a crosh cuirn; a Manx protective charm, traditionally crafted on Bealtaine eve
- add your Bealtaine hopes to the altar
- delicious spring menu available in the cafe
