The Romans celebrated a festival of Ceres (Greek Demeter) at around this time each year. The final day and greatest celebration was on the 19th of April, according to "
Curiosities of Popular Customs
And of Rites, Ceremonies, Observances, and Miscellaneous Antiquities,"
by William S. Walsh, which goes on to describe the events:
"They crowded in the Circus or race-course, where nuts and other trifles were thrown among them; and, besides the horse-races, it was the practice to set foxes loose in the Circus with lighted torches tied to their tails ... [symbolic] it is thought, of the red blight or rust that burns up the corn."
Ceres Picture © Clipart.com
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