|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
“Here they come!” shouted a passerby to the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, as members rode their horses down Woodside’s main thoroughfare to kick off the annual May Day parade on a misty Saturday morning. Colorful and creative floats followed along the parade route on Woodside Road, including participants in bright orange wigs lined in yellow streaks, on horseback, of course, to represent the Year of the Fire Horse.
The DoodyCalls mascot waved to attendees from the back of a green work truck. The handful of kindergartners who make up the kindercourt, wearing princess dresses, capes and crowns, reigned over the parade from the town’s vintage fire truck “Old White.”
The celebration, started in 1922 and in its 104th year, continues to serve its original purpose: to bring families together to welcome spring. Event organizer Rachel Ream said this year there were record breaking attendance numbers, with between 1,000 to 1,200 at the parade and 800 at the amphitheater. Organizers fed 700 people at the event, she said.
The day began in the early morning hours of May 2 with a fun run. Afterward, racers grabbed coffee and donuts and rested their muscles in front of Woodside Elementary School in anticipation of the 10 a.m. procession
A May Day regular, Patricia Griffin-Soffel walked to the parade with her dog and met up with her friend Nicole Ricci in front of The Village Bakery before heading to the elementary school to find a spot to watch the procession.
“We get so carried away with Silicon Valley,” Griffin-Soffel said. “This brings home the more quaint relationships of people in town.”
The Woodside Day of the Horse team marching in the May Day Parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Young spectators catching balls and candies along the parade route at May Day parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Woodside High School marching band at May Day parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
The Doody Calls mascot and truck in the May Day Parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
The Woodside Fire Engine 4 truck carrying the May Day 2026 Kindercourt in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
The Deputy Marshal team carrying their banner in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Deputy Marshal Bryan Myrtetus and Deputy Marshal Linette Griffith, along the May Day parade route in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
From left, Sharon Butler, Mariangela Sonstegard, Adeline Forrest from the San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association at May Day parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Woodside School Operetta, “The Addams Family” at May Day parade in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs.
After the parade, the crowd gathered around the outdoor amphitheater on the school campus to hear remarks by Mayor Brian Dombkowski.
The town honored Grand Marshal Richard Mainz and two deputy marshals: second grade Woodside Elementary teachers Linette Griffith and Brian Myrtetus, singled out for their community service. It also recognized Melissa Land with the Elward Thomas Citizen of the Year Award, for her meaningful contribution to the school and to the well-being of its children.
“Although I know that my work will have a lasting impact on the school and community, being recognized in this way will have a lasting impact on me,” Land said in an email. “Volunteers truly ‘bridge the gap’ in ways that even financial support cannot. Year after year, parent and community volunteers allow core Woodside traditions and values to not only continue, but to thrive and grow with ongoing creativity, passion and heart.”
Grand Marshal Mainz has volunteered on the town’s Recreation Committee for nearly three decades. During his tenure, he has helped expand youth sports and community programs for the town. These include indoor and outdoor soccer, summer softball leagues, volleyball and family events like camping at Huddart and Memorial parks, roller skating, movie nights and ice cream socials, according to a press release.
The town also recognized Ream as Honorary Citizen of the Year for helping bring back May Day in all its glory, post- COVID-pandemic, over the last four years. May Day has only been canceled just two times, in 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic.
Maypole dancers performing at the amphitheater at May Day in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Dancers hold silver stars at the amphitheater at May Day in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
May Day 2026 Kindercourt takes the stage in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
Spectator fill the amphitheater waiting for the May Pole dancers to perform at May Day in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs. 
From left, Citizen of the Year Melissa Land, Deputy Marshal Bryan Myrtetus, Grand Marshal Richard Mainz, Deputy Marshal Linette Griffith and Honorary Citizen of the Year Rachel Ream, on May Day in Woodside on May 2, 2026. Photo by BeBe Khue Jacobs.
Next came the ceremonial maypole dance, this year under the direction of longtime music teacher Beth Dameron. Third graders wore pastel colors and flower crowns as they grabbed hanging ribbons as they circled the maypole. This year, students also danced around with large silver stars.
In lieu of the usual food trucks or restaurant catering, organizers had parents and seventh graders run the barbecue lunch. Parent and award-winning pitmaster Jason Appelbaum smoked brisket and pulled pork for sandwiches. The proceeds will go to the seventh grade operetta fund, supporting Woodside Elementary’s annual musical. This year, it’s a production of “The Addams Family.”
At the carnival, attendees reveled in dunking soon-to-graduate eighth graders in the dunk tank and middle schoolers ran the face-painting booth. Woodside High School Robotics, Team 100, brought their demonstration robot and instructed children how to build their own brush bots.
In keeping with Woodside tradition, the day was really about community, which Grand Marshal Mainz said in a prepared statement is not something you inherit, but “something you build, protect and pass forward.”
