Chicago Maifest 2012 | Photos
In Germany, it's an annual tradition to celebrate the arrival of spring by decorating a maypole (maibaum in German) to depict the community's culture or history. Throughout the years, this event, appropriately dubbed Maifest, has grown to be a grand extravaganza accompanied by music, food, and plenty of drinking, natch.
And so Lincoln Square, the center of Chicago's massive German community, pays tribute to that phenomenon each year. 2012 marked Chicago's 13th annual Maifest, an occasion which stretched over three full days and drew numerous Chicagoans, both German and otherwise.
It's a fun affair, featuring carnival games and live music performances. Even so, Maifest Chicago is careful to never lose sight of the fact that it is, at heart, a German custom, as evident by events like the German American Ethnic Program, the crowning of the "May Queen," and traditional keg tapping. Judging by the success of Maifest, the warm season has definitely arrived.
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