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Although not as well-known as Oktoberfest, Maifest is one of Germany’s oldest traditions. The annual celebration of spring began as a 10th-century pagan ritual during which villagers would erect a maipole (or maypole in English) in a local square and decorate it with cakes, ribbons and sausages. It was believed that dancing around the adorned maipole would bring good luck.

It’s changed, but the tradition is still alive and very popular in the wine country along the Rhine River. It is also doing well at the Voelker Orth Museum, an historic house in Flushing that was purchased in 1899 by a German immigrant named Conrad Voelcker.

This Saturday, Maifest attendees will be able to dance to music by Norman Curtis and eat such delicacies as beet salad, bratwurst, herring salad and spaetzle with spring asparagus. The evening will also feature a traditional maibowle, a wine punch with sweet woodruff from the garden.

Details: Maifest in the Garden, Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary and Victorian Garden, 149-19 38th Avenue, Flushing, May 16, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, $30. In the event of rain, the program will take place indoors. 

Photo by Voelker Orth Museum


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