May Day back on thanks to Charlton, Costello

It appears Vader will no longer have to cancel its May Day festival after volunteers have stepped forward to lead the event.

Though it had been reported Thursday by Mayor Ken Smith  the festival was officially cancelled due to a lack of organizers, residents Janet Charlton and Judy Costello have since made themselves available to make sure May Day 2014 goes off without a hitch.

The future of Vader’s May Day celebration, typically held the first Saturday in May, had been called into question after long-time organizer Diana Trahanes died in 2012. Trahanes herself had taken the reins in 1991 from her late mother, Lena DeAger, who had organized Vader’s first May Day celebration in 1952.

Though it was unclear who would lead organizers this year, Trahanes' daughter, Charlton, has decided to pick up where her mother left off and continue the family’s tradition. Charlton had also helped her aunt, Wanda Smith, organize May Day last year, and stated Smith was not available to do to this time around.

Charlton told Town Crier this morning she and Costello have several volunteers who have committed to helping, and that the theme will be “A Blooming Good Time in Vader.” Space is available for parade floats, as well as vendors, and those who are interested in signing up can call Charlton at (360) 295-3011.

Unless barred by unforeseen circumstances, Vader is expecting to celebrate its 62nd May Day festival on May 3.