Baltimore Sun photo: Susan Reimer

Shawn Sexton and Jim Paulus were up at dawn Friday in Annapolis, delivering some of the May baskets that every year adorn the doors and doorsteps of houses and businesses all over town.

They work for Michael Designs, a florist, and every April 30 it is a mad scramble to get all the baskets done.

"I was up late last night and first thing this morning," said Paulus, who said the demand for May baskets was about the same as it has been in past years, despite the economy. The average price for one of his baskets is about $85, he said.

The businesses on Main Street in the historic area of Annapolis show a sense of humor on May Day. Mangia, an Italian eatery, has artichokes, peppers and mushrooms as part of its arrangement - and the trailing ribbons are red, green and white, the colors of the flag of Italy.

The Annapolis Running Store puts out rows of tennis shoes - with flowers peaking out of the shoe tops - all plastic!

Hats in the Belfry did its May Basket in a hat box and Chick & Ruth's Deli had bagels in its. Even the Naval Academy had May baskets on its rather forbidding main gates.

And the Annapolis Yacht Club? A flower arrangement in a little wooden boat.

The mild weather means all the May baskets will still be fresh this weekend. Take your camera and take a tour of downtown Annapolis this weekend. It's worth the trip.

Here's my photo gallery of the May baskets. Take a look.