May 1 May Day – Similar to Labor Day, it is a spring festival celebrating the renewal of nature.  It was popular in England during medieval times, with children dancing around the Maypole.

May 5 Cinco de Mayo -Cinco de mayo commemorates the May 5, 1862 Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla) in which Mexican troops defeated Napoleon’s French forces. Cinco de mayo is celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.

May 8 – Teacher Appreciation Day Today is a day to honor teachers – if your child is in school he or she might want to make a card for the teacher.  Preschool age children 3-5 love playing school.  Let the child be the teacher and read you a story or give you homework.  You might want to invite some dolls or stuffed animals into the classroom as well.

May 8- Mother’s Day–   Today is a day to celebrate and pamper Mom.  Help the children make cards or gifts or plan a special meal or other surprise for Mom.

May 11 Annual Castles in the Sand – Raise money to support the homeless and other neighbors in need.  The build a-thon will be held at Compo Beach from noon to 4 p.m.  Call 203-226-3426 ext. 11 or www.ihawestport.com to reserve your sand sculpting lot or obtain further information.

May 28 Memorial Day Parade – Parade begins at 9 a.m at Saugatuck Elementary School and travels up Riverside Avenue over the Post Road and on to Town Hall.  Stand on the Post Road near Main Street and join the fun.   Memorial Day started in 1868 after the Civil War ended.  Dead soldiers from both the north and the south were honored as a way to try to heal the nation.  Now all past soldiers are honored.  It is also a day that is considered to be the start of the summer season.  Many people celebrate with a cook-out or even a trip to the beach.