Washington College: A Top-Tier Maryland Liberal Arts College

Every May 1st, the Student Events Board plans a huge festival called “Mayday Revolution” starting at noon on the Campus Green (Cain Gymnasium is the rain location, we will notify you via email if the location changes). The event features live music from five different revolutionary-themed bands, revolutionary student poetry readings, fun inflatables, a giant slide, a mechanical bull ride, and other attractions. The goal of this event is to recapture the musical and poetic spirit of the original Mayday as it was envisioned by Professor Bennet Lamond, who started the tradition in 1968. Lamond had the idea for Mayday when he was teaching his class about "Carpe Diem" poetry - a type of poetry which encourages the reader to seize the day and as such and is often the preferred cry of revolutionaries. On May 1st, Lamond decided that it was time to stop simply reading poetry to his class and start living it. As such, he took his students outside and they acted out the poetry, danced, sang, and drank wine. Some students even grabbed musical instruments. One student picked flowers from each and every lawn in Chestertown. Then, they all decorated a May Day pole to celebrate the 'carpe diem' attitude. They placed the pole where the CAC is now.

Later that night several male students returned, got naked, and moved the pole to the green. It was this tradition of getting naked that stuck with the college through the ages and, somewhat unfortunately, not the music or poetry.

Music, art, and poetry were essential parts of the first Mayday, things that are now lost. Furthermore, Mayday seems to have lost some of Lamond's lesson - to not only read about important issues, injustice, poverty, disease, and war, but to fight against these things through non-violent demonstration and artistic displays.

Since this event is open to the public on the campus green, members of the Chestertown community, families, children of all ages, professors, staff, and alumni attend. As such, nudity and inappropriate behavior will not be permitted nor tolerated. With families, kids, and community members attending, we want to set a good precedent for future Mayday events and represent Washington College as an institution and its students. Moreover, the original Mayday was not about alcohol and nudity. During the original Mayday, students had a couple glasses of wine or beers, but did not drink in excess;  the students’ day was spent demonstrating, learning, listening to music, reading poetry, and standing up for civil liberties and social justice..

 

There will be no alcohol served at event due to its public nature and logistical challenges. However, if you choose to partake in consuming alcoholic beverages before you arrive at the event, we ask that you keep the above information, as well as the original Mayday, in mind, are decent and responsible, and take advantage of this day for what it was intended to be.

Year after year on a brisk night in February night, students, faculty and staff, parents, and alumni stroll into the unidentifiable Cain gymnasium to participate in one of the most historical traditions held on campus: Birthday Ball. This magical event is Washington College's way of celebrating the birth of not only one of the Founding Father's of our country, but of our school, George Washington. Throughout its history, Birthday Ball has taken several unique identities, each creating special memories for all at Washington College.

Birthday Ball truly is a phenomenal event, but what is one to do when the dance is over? Breakfast at midnight in the dining hall has become a tradition following the grand dance. After the music stops playing hordes of tired people wobble over on aching feet to enjoy hot eggs and bacon in their fanciest clothes. From beginning to end, Birthday Ball is an event that unites all of campus. It is the only night where everyone at Washington College comes together to just have a good time. When you walk in, there is a warm feeling of community and connectedness. Aside from helping found our country and our school, George Washington also gave us one night that unites the entire campus in a whirl of beauty and wonder.

More info coming soon!

More info coming soon!

More info coming soon!

More info coming soon!

Drag Ball is an event hosted by the EROS Alliance. People may dress in drag (cross dress) or wear any clothing they feel most comfortable in. There will be a contest for the best drag king (a female dressed in men's clothing) and best drag queen (a male dressed in women's clothing). This event is all campus encompassing. The goal is to raise awareness that those who dress in drag are just people. She/he is no one to fear and no one to discriminate against based on gender expression, sexual orientation or any other identity. This is a dress event. Come ready to dance!