What is a sentence for vernal commencement (meaning: beginning of spring)?

The sense of the vernal commencement does indeed refer to
the onset of spring. It was considered the time when nature came alive. It was a time
when birds would build nests, vegetation would grow, flowers would begin to bloom at
varying rates, and insects would begin to populate the world for a new season. This is a
time of year that was often celebrated by pagan
religions.

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Also known as the Vernal Equinox, March 20 [was]
the first day of Spring 2009. The Spring Equinox is a day that symbolizes dawn, youth,
birth, and
rejuvenation.

With
this information in mind, I have constructed the following
sentence:

The
villagers collected flowers and greenery to decorate the square in preparation for the
celebration of the vernal commencement, which was a major holiday in that part of the
country.