Submitted by Lisa Ellis
The first May Day in Madison was held on Saturday, May 2, 1998 the thanks to the spirit and vision of the Downtown Development Commission (DDC). Residents, businesses, organizations, and civic groups came out to participate in what has become an annual town wide clean-up. Streets and parks are cleaned, trash removed, flowers planted, and truckloads of mulch are spread.
In 1998, approximately 200 volunteers participated, that number has grown exponentially over time and in recent years approximately 1000 volunteers have participated at over 40 work sites. This annual town-wide beautification campaign called “May Day in Madison” is a project of the Madison Downtown Development Commission (DDC) and the May Day Committee.
The DDC is hard at work planning this year’s event scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2018. There will be special events planned for the day commemorating the 20th anniversary of this cherished Madison community event, including special presentations and an after party with local food and music.
May Day brings unique volunteer opportunities for all ages. Small children can be found working side-by side with Borough Council Members while Department of Public Works employees move mountains of mulch. Local university students help service club members beautify the Madison Train Station. Senior citizens may be found delivering water to thirsty volunteers or mulching in the parks.
In addition to the activities surrounding May Day, The Shade Tree Management Board of the Borough of Madison and its sister organization, the non-profit Friends of Madison Shade Trees, invite the public to attend an annual Arbor Day celebration on the steps of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building. In 2018 for the 32nd consecutive year, Madison will again be honored with a Tree City USA award. The Arbor Day program, which begins at 9 am, includes contributions from elementary students as well as the presentation of the Tree City flag.
Funds are again being raised through a direct solicitation in the form of a donation envelope sent to every household. Sponsorships have been sought to cover the cost of the volunteer T-shirts and the purchase of over 200 flower baskets that adorn the Victorian lampposts in the Downtown from May through October every year, adding beautiful color to the streetscape.
The first Saturday in May is a day of great community and civic pride for Madison.
Donation checks should be made payable to the Borough of Madison and mailed to the Downtown Development Commission May Day, Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940.
(above) Members of the May Day Committee choose the winner of the 2018 May Day T-shirt Art Contest (Pictured l-r): Paul Allocco, Gene Cracovia, Sue Whitehorn, Cheryl Munkel, Richard Romano, and Leslie Lajewski.
(above) May Day in Madison.
