Festivals at Shining Star School
At our school we enjoy a rich festival life during the academic year. Our festivals celebrate the seasons and offer opportunities for growth, fun and community for the families. The changing seasons bring fresh inspiration and enjoyment as well as sensory stimulation as we enjoy four distinct seasons with autumn, winter, spring and summer. In the school, the teachers share the beautiful stories from different cultures and histories with the children, complete projects or artwork, and prepare for the event. Several of our festivals are public, and some are just for our community. Special ceremonies mark the seasons when the darkness is deepest, or the blossoms bloom abundantly! Festivals and celebrations are often the memories that are recalled very fondly, even years later by the children of the Waldorf School!
Dragon Fest
Our Annual Fall Festival is open to the public, to show families what life with dragons is like! We find our way into the season of Autumn and Micha-el, the Warrior Angel, who guides our steps and helps us when we are feeling weak or afraid. Complete with costumes, Magic Wand Booth, games, physical skills contests, community play, bake sale, and contests.
Halloween
This celebration includes a party, our annual neighborhood costume parade, games and a spooky kitchen event. It’s our school’s way of enjoying a fun and safe Halloween Party. We make apple juice, roast corn and make crafts.
Starry Night Martinmas Lantern Walk
The Starry Night Lantern Walk is held every November, when the entire school meets at a public park and walks through the dark, cold night. With our brilliant handmade lanterns in hand, we bring the small flames of our light into the deep darkness of the coming season. This meaningful ceremony has great significance for the children and the adults, perhaps a bracing for the wintery weather to come as we carry our lanterns in the dark evening. To each brave adventurer of the night comes a warm roasted chestnut at the end of the walk.
Spiral of Lights
In late November or early December the school holds the special Spiral of Lights Walk, also known as the Winter Garden of Lights. This is an in-school event with the grades children holding their event in the evening, and the kindergarten in the morning. We create a spiral of fragrant greens decorated with crystals, seashells and other earth elements. The children enter the spiral with a bright apple filled with a wax candle, and journey to the center to find the waiting light. These quiet ceremonies enhance our development and awareness of self, and the children find this is one of the most awe-inspiring ceremonies of the year.
The Festival of the Bees
The Festival of the Bees is a time to celebrate all things Bee related as we anticipate the coming of spring! We have a variety of bee-wise folks and vendors on hand to help educate and inspire attendees, including Portland Urban Beekeepers, Bridgetown Bees, Bosky Dell Natives and Urban Bees and Gardens. There is also candle making, seed bomb creating, soup lunch, crepes, plant sale, puppet show, face painting, mason bee house making, craft bazaar, seed swap, open house, live music and more!
Merry May Day
May Day is our spring celebration inviting warmer weather and spring flowers! This festival takes place every year, right across the street from our school at Columbia Annex Park. We dress in white and dance around the maypole, singing songs and adorned with flower crowns. There is a bake sale and parents are invited to contribute, as well as bring their own picnics and picnic blankets. This is a beloved spring festival celebrating light and the joy of spring!