Where does the tradition of May Crowning come from?

Answer:
The origins of the May Crowning are hard to pinpoint, although devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary originates in the earliest days of the church… Regarding the crowning, the image of Mary (as well as Jesus) wearing a gold crown is found in the earliest forms of iconography, especially in the Eastern Churches. In the West, the pious practice of publicly crowning an image of the Blessed Mother gained popularity in the 19th century. In Rome, the image known as Salus Populi Romani — of our Blessed Mother holding the Child Jesus — is enshrined at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Tradition holds that St. Luke painted the image. Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) added two crowns to the icon, which were at some point later lost. Nevertheless, on Aug. 15, 1838, the Feast of the Assumption, Pope Gregory XVI with great solemnity, again added the crowns, and thereupon the practice of crowning the image of the Blessed Mother became popular, especially during the month of May.
-- Father William P. Saunders (http://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-are-the-origins-of-the-may-crowning/)

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Additional thoughts and ramblings:
Growing up our parish would celebrate May Crowning with kids brining roses and flowers to church and then having a procession up to a special little statue which someone also took a little crown or circle of flowers and placed on Mary's head. A few years later the church installed an outdoor statue of Mary and then the tradition was to process out hear after (or before....can't quite recall) Mass. I was somewhat surprised that the tradition of doing this is relatively recent even though devotion to Mary goes back to early days of the Church. Of course some non-Catholics get a little worried that Catholics worship Mary and in crowning her image like this, are taking away from Jesus. It's important to note that as Catholics we don't worship Mary but we do hold her in high regard not so different  from the way we might honor great faith filled people from our own time. Who could ever love Jesus more then Mary and who on earth was as close to Him. No doubt she is a special person and that is why we honor her. Just as honoring or praying to a holy person we have known who has past from this life takes nothing away from Jesus, so it is with Mary. Would you be upset if someone you love gave your mother flowers. Of course not. It's a beautiful tradition.