Zoar Maifest celebrates the arrival of spring
German music will fill the air accompanying German food and drinks during Maifest on May 8 in Historic Zoar Village. The traditional German festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the village.
This year marks the fifth year for Maifest, which had to be canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
“It’s nice that even though we will have to follow all the protocols for COVID-19, at least we can hold the event,” said Jon Elsasser, president of the Zoar Community Association, which hosts Maifest and other fundraising efforts to support Historic Zoar Village.
The food and beer tent, sponsored by the Bolivar-Zoar Rotary Club, will feature bratwurst and German potato salad using the Canal Tavern of Zoar recipes. Grilled-over-charcoal chicken also will be available, as will sauerkraut from Cleveland Kraut. Cold craft and German-style beers will be on tap from Lockport Brewery in Bolivar and Wooly Pig Farm Brewery in Fresno.
Traditional German music will be performed by the band, Gemuetlichkeit, out of Cleveland.
Elsasser explained the inspiration behind Maifest. “The Zoar Separatists used to get together with the folks in Economy, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh and hold a Schwabenfest to celebrate their common heritage from the German Schwab tribe. We figured that was too hard to pronounce and most people wouldn’t know what it was,” he said.
Elsasser said the two communities would alternate years to host the event.
German car show
Maifest will include a German car show from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All German makes and models are welcome including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen. Registration is only $10 per car and begins at 10 a.m. in the lot across from the Zoar United Church of Christ on the corner of Fifth and Main streets.
Awards will be given for People’s Choice, Runner Up, Oldest Car and Newest Car. All car show registrants will receive a coupon for a free bratwurst.
Annual plant sale fundraiser same day
Also taking place May 8 is the annual plant sale in the Zoar Garden’s historic greenhouse. A variety of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs and vegetables will be on sale with all proceeds benefiting the preservation and educational efforts of Historic Zoar Village.
Other festival activities include free tours of all village museums, games and make-and-take art projects for kids, a Western Reserve Carriage Association promenade, guest speaker Mark Hoover from Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield, and dancing around the Maypole.
Visitors to Maifest can enjoy shopping at the Zoar Store and private shops and antique stores. Admission to Maifest is $5 per person for age 13 and over, which includes all activities and a coupon for $3 off a food purchase. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information call the Zoar Community Association at 330-874-3011.
