Once again, it’s time to dance (or learn) the Chicken Dance! The Germanic dance steps tell the story of a soon-to-be-born chick working its way out of an egg shell. It marks the passage of winter into spring, a rite celebrated by most cultures around the world.

Jacksonville was once dependent on a successful harvest, and the importance of the spring plantings was not lost to our early settlers. Come out and meet local farmers, and celebrate the land’s fertility as we come together as friends and neighbors in our community.

Live music by the Sauerkrauts Oompah Band and all kids entertainment is free. There will be Cow Train rides, a jump house, face painting, and a wandering magician… and fabulous, authentic Bavarian food plus Mai Bock Beer, brewed just for the spring season being offered for sale by The Schoolhaus Brewhaus German Restaurant.

What will your kids remember about growing-up in Jacksonville? A big memory-maker is our annual Maypole dance with young and old alike clinging to brightly-colored ribbons streaming down from a huge “Maypole” as they weave and braid beautiful patterns with the ribbons!

Maifest activities will take place on May 3rd, Noon-4:30pm. (The Schoolhaus Brewhaus will maintain regular Sunday hours from 10:30am-8:00pm with a special event menu available.)

Maifest is a sponsored event of the Jacksonville Heritage Society.

For more information, please visit www.fraukemmling.com/festivals.