Maifest (or Mayfest in English) is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring. Maifest is still celebrated throughout Germany with the maibaum (maypole) decorated to show off the history and crafts of the town.
Maifest, similar to Oktoberfest, has now become a popular celebration throughout the world. Several communities in the United States celebrate Maifest yearly. It has been celebrated in Cincinnati, Ohio, since 1873.[1]
Brenham, Texas, has celebrated Maifest since 1880.[2] Over the years, the celebration has become a community-wide tradition, drawing spectators and participants from all parts of the community.[3] The beginning of Maifest is treated as a town holiday, with Brenham ISD releasing students early on the Friday before.[4]
The town of Hermann, Missouri, also celebrates Maifest, on the third weekend of May.[citation needed]
Maifest is also a month-long festival in the town of Leavenworth, Washington, a tourist town based on a bavarian village[5]
- ^ Tolzmann, Don Heinrich (Aug 22, 2011). German Cincinnati Revisited. Arcadia Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 9780738583020. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
- ^ "The Brenham Maifest Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Coronations to highlight annual Maifest". Brenham Banner-Press. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Brenham ISD 2021-2022 Instructional Calendar" (PDF). Brenham Independent School District. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ Stoller, Jessica. "Maifest". Leavenworth Washington. Retrieved 2024-05-21.