May Long Weekend (May 18th, 2009), May Run or May Two Four - How Do You Celebrate?

Traditionally celebrated on the last Monday on or before May 24th, this month's long weekend is often seen in Canada as the start of the summer season.

The day was established in 1834 prior to Canada's confederation to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Following her death in 1901, May 24th was officially decreed as Empire Day to continually commemorate her birthday. In Canada, the reigning sovereign's birthday was celebrated on a variety of days based on a number of royal proclamations. This confusing format was abandoned in the 1950s in favour of celebrating the sovereign's birthday on the last Monday before May 25th -- leaving May 24th as Victoria's Day.

Confusion about the moveable date aside, the May holiday is usually seen as the end of the winter season. Many people celebrate outside as much as possible and most municipal summer facilities (pools, parks, etc) officially open on the long weekend. Gardener's across the country use the weekend to plant their summer bedding plants and prepare their gardens for the new season. Those with cottages often use the weekend to "open" the cabin for summer. Oddly though, according to Environment Canada data, the May long weekend often has some of the coldest, wettest and most miserable weather days of the year!

Regardless of how you celebrate and despite the weather conditions, there is collective sigh across the country that summer might actually be in sight!