After a decades-long absence, Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus at the Bigham Knoll campus is thrilled to announce the return of the “Mai Fest” to Jacksonville. Celebrated as early as the 1860’s and as recently as the 1930’s here in Jacksonville, the May Day event will feature a traditional colorful Maypole , for dancing, flower crown making, field games, and a home brew contest to honor Jacksonville’s rich Germanic heritage. In keeping with tradition, an honorary May Queen will preside.. According to Bigham Knoll’s Brooke Ashland, “We hope this becomes a yearly celebration on the first Sunday of every May to commemorate one of Jacksonville’s earliest community festivals.”
In the past, May Day was a big event for school children who would make flower-filled paper baskets. The children would then leave the baskets on a neighbor’s porch, ring the bell and run away before someone had the chance to open the door! The Mai Fest celebration will be held at the Bigham Knoll campus, 525 Bigham Knoll Drive, Sunday May 1st, noon-6pm.
For more information, call 541-899-1000 or visit www.fraukemmling.com.
Grus Gott,
Waldorf school at this site in the 1980’s had Maypole ceremony (complete with Maypole, of course!) on May 1st. My children were students at the school and participated. The Waldorf system of education was begun in Stuttgart, Germany by Rudolph Steiner. It is part of our area’s (and Jacksonville’s) German heritage.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Danke schoen!