RINCON — Rincon Elementary School's slow waltz toward a new $20.7 million building on Fort Howard Road has been underway for months.
On Friday, however, the paced picked up considerably during the 35th Annual Walton Burns May Day Celebration.
The waltz gave way to the student performances of the Charleston, Mexican Hat Dance and Cotton Eye Joe that were viewed by hundreds of parents and a large collection of retired Rincon Elementary School teachers.
During her opening remarks, Principal Dr. Paige Dickey mentioned that Friday's celebration would be the final one at the school's current site on Richland Avenue. She added, however, that it is a tradition that will continue after the new school opens this fall.
Burns, a former Rincon Elementary School principal, started the May Day Celebration in 1984. It features the crowning of the May Queen and her court, princes and princesses from each home room and dances by each grade level (pre-K through fifth grade).
After Dickey spoke, a processional was conducted that featured introductions of the princes and princesses, flowers girls, crown bearers and 2017 May Queen Logan Vining The queen finalists were Bentley Braswell, Keelie Jervis and Olivia Morgan,
Moran was announced as the maid of honor. Jervis and Keeling was named lady in waiting and May Queen, respectively.
Then the dancing started.
Pre-K students, all sporting shower caps, gyrated the "Splish Splash," a popular 1950s tune.
The children all smiled brightly and most giggled as they pretended to take a bath.
Other performances included the Charleston (pre-K), Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (first grade), Mexican Hat Dance (second grade), Peppermint Twist (third grade), Cotton Eye Joe (fourth grade) and a May Pole Dance (fifth grade).