May 1 means different things to each individual person.

Some pay tribute to the Pagan Beltane and Walpurgis Night celebrations, anarchists may recall the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago and socialists will pay respects to independence day for the former Soviet Union. Almost the entire world refers to it as International Workers’ Day (as it was in the United States until the second “Red Scare” of communism). U.S. immigrants last year chose this day for the Great American Boycott.

This year, why not celebrate May Day in a very traditional, free-spirited and peace-loving nature.

What better way to celebrate such natural beauty than at a wondrous May Day gala. From fancy earth-friendly headdresses to heavenly merriment, the Fremont May Day celebration is complete with a 25-foot maypole.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. May 1 at the Upper Woodland Park picnic area on Aurora Avenue North and Greenlake Drive. Best of all? The event is free of charge.

“Come one and come all to a celebration of life and spring, flowers and ribbons, food and music,” the Fremont Arts Council calls to Seattle’s public.

Keeping in tune with any Fremont-sponsored activity, the May Day event is sure to be anything but ordinary. Vibrant characters, painted fairies and delightful faces are guaranteed and good time had by all is the ultimate goal as the “Center of the Universe” ventures to the zoo’s backyard.

The event will host a collection of backyard bohemian activities, from headdress-making, picnicking, outdoor games and musical amusements. Dressing to impress the springtime deities is highly recommended by the Fremont flower children.

All participants are asked to bring their own plates, cups and tableware, as well as a tasty springtime barbeque dish to share in the potluck. You may also want to bring a blanket to sit on. Barbeques are available at the Woodland Park picnic area.

The entire event is based solely on volunteerism. To help out, you could bring such things as flowers and greenery to add to the headdress-making collection, outdoor games (croquet, anyone?) or something fun and entertaining like a musical instrument. Perhaps those gymnasts from the Quad could bring their tightrope.

Then again, if you really are a starving college student, just give back by helping set up or clean up for the event. The Fremont Arts Council asks that everyone pitch in, even if it’s just a little bit.

Volunteer opportunities include setting up the park, gathering material for the headdresses, organizing or running a children’s activity, playing music for all to enjoy, leading a May Day ritual or just simply sticking around afterward to help fulfill the “leave no trace” goal. To get involved, e-mail the Fremont Arts Council at volunteer@fremontartscouncil.org.