More than 1,000 people were drawn to the German Cultural Society of St. Louis’ 61st annual Maifest from May 15-17, said Joe Wendl, a society spokesperson.
“It seems like more and more each year keep coming out,” he said.
Wendl said the festival, which was held at the organization’s Donau Park facility in House Springs, was not affected by rainy weather on May 16.
“We were well attended, nice weather all weekend. The temperature hasn’t been too bad, so it really helps bring out the people,” he said.
Wendl said those in attendance were happy to be out and enjoying German culture.
“This is our longest running event; it started in the ’60s with our club,” he said. “We’ve had it every year since except one year for COVID.”
Monika Lorenz, president of the German Cultural Society, said the festival is the German celebration of spring.
“Everybody loves the music, the food, the dancing and of course the beer,” she said.
Lorenz also said several soccer games were held the morning of May 17, which featured the cultural society’s team, Gruen Weiss.
“It’s just for fun, soccer is a big part of Germany, so it’s just to get (the soccer players) involved as well,” she said.
Yvonne Brazel of Des Peres said she came to the festival with her friend Katy Cozort, who is from Hillsboro.
Brazel said this was the first time she had attended the festival.
“We had heard that the food is great and the band is great and why not?” she said. “I used to live in Germany so I thought it would be fun to come and see the whole thing.”
Cozort, who said this was also the first time she attended Maifest, said she enjoyed the music and the atmosphere of the event.
The weekend also featured several German-themed musical and dance performances with Die Spitzbuam performing May 15, The Wendl Band performing May 16 and the Deutschmeister Brass Band on May 17. Dance groups from the society performed at various times throughout the festival, including a performance of the traditional Maibaum (Maypole) dance in which dancers weave ribbons around a decorated pole to commemorate the spring season.
Helmuth Glatt, president of the Deutschmeister Brass Band, which is a part of the cultural society, said the group was founded in 1963.
“They formed this band, and we’ve been playing continuously ever since,” he said.
Glatt said there’s a real sense of camaraderie among the 22 volunteer band members, which keeps the group together year after year.
“We love this music; the music is just happy and uplifting,” he said. “And then when we can convey that to an audience, it’s awesome for us, it gives us goosebumps.”
The next event on the German Cultural Society’s calendar is the annual Wiener ’n Schnitzel dinner from noon to 5 p.m. July 12 at Donau Park, 5020 W. Four Ridge Road. Food will be served from noon to 3 p.m., while supplies last. The Deutschmeister Brass Band will also perform at the event.
For more information about the society’s events, go to germanstl.org or visit the German Cultural Society of St. Louis Facebook pages, one focused on Donau Park and the other on the organization’s Jefferson Hall facility at 3652 S. Jefferson Ave. in St. Louis.
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