St. George's Day Assembly Ideas
St. George was chosen as a patron saint of England for his honor, bravery and gallantry. In 1222, St. George replaced St. Edmund the Martyr as England's patron saint, and in 1415, April 23 was made a national feast day in his honor. St. George is also the patron saint of Ethiopia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal and Russia, among other countries.
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Red Rose
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The rose is the national flower of England and a symbol of St. George's Day. A must-have at any St. George's Day assembly is a station that offers red roses (England's national flower) for celebrators to pin to their lapels or through their buttonholes. Organize the rose station through a local flower shop or garden center and consider taking donations at the station that can go to a charitable cause.
Morris Dancers
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Morris dancers are another staple at any St. George's Day celebration because they are purveyors of England's national folk dance. Hire a troupe of professional dancers to put on an exhibition during the assembly. There may also be a chance to have these dancers give lessons to the public. Six styles of Morris dances exist: Cotswald, North-West, Boarder, Longsword, Rapper and Molly Dancing. Each pertains to its region of origin, so it's best to seek out dancers who represent the region where the assembly is held.
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National Foods
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Organize a banquet of traditional English foods to delight the taste buds of assembly attendees. Guests at a St. George's Day assembly will need to be fed, and you should include some of England's national dishes in the mix. One way of presenting the food is by asking local chefs, caterers and restaurants to set up their booths where they can offer one or two English specialties. For a more formal setting, offer a ticketed sit-down dinner at which attendees will be enjoy a multi-course menu of traditional English foods chosen by a guest chef.
English Farmers Market
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An open-air market can display the best that England has to offer. Celebrate all of the good stuff that England has to offer by staging a farmers market as part of the assembly. Set up market stalls outside for an open-air ambiance and invite farmers and local food artisans to sell produce, fish, fresh and cured meats, breads and pastries, preserves and a few ready-to-eat items. The market can also be extended to include handmade crafts, such as needlework and woodwork items.
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