North Stonington ― Almost 40 years ago, Norm Dudziak, assistant squire of the Westerly Morris Men, brought along his bells for fun while participating in the annual vernal equinox hike on Lantern Hill with the former Pequotsepos Outing Club of Mystic.

“I created a monster,” he said as he caught his breath after performing traditional English folk dances with the group Tuesday on the chilly first day of spring.

A group of dancers and musicians, along with more than 50 hikers, climbed to the summit in the dark to greet the rising sun with songs, dances and cheers. The vernal equinox, along with the autumnal equinox in September, occurs when the amount of daylight and nighttime hours are just about of equal length.

The vernal equinox hike was started by Betsy Storms, of the former Pequotsepos Outing Club of Mystic, and dancing was introduced to the event in 1987. A newer tradition is that additional dancing and songs take place at the trailhead at the conclusion of the hike for those unable to make the climb.

The Westerly Morris Men have been dancing for 50 years, performing traditional Cotswold-style Morris dancing, accompanied by a button accordion and a concertina. They practice twice a month on Tuesdays and welcome new members.

The group’s next event is for May Day on May 1, 2024 at Connecticut College at dawn. Learn more about the group at westerlymorrismen.org.

s.gordon@theday.com