Historic Zoar Village to host Maifest May 8-9

Historic Zoar Village will revive its Maifest German festival Friday, May 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We’re excited to welcome the community back to Historic Zoar Village for Maifest, a celebration of spring that highlights our German heritage in a truly special and family-friendly setting,” Historic Zoar Village Site Director Tammi Shrum said.

Food and drink options will be available in the food and beverage hall, including roasted chicken, German potato salad, Cleveland Kraut sauerkraut, bratwurst from Carle’s of Bucyrus and cherry and apple strudel from Reinecker’s Bakery. Craft beers will be offered by Lockport Brewery, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery and Maize Valley Winery and Brewery.

Live music is scheduled both days. Down und Kraut Band will perform Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s lineup includes Lulu’s Button Box Review from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gemütlichkeit Cleveländer Musikanten from 1 to 4 p.m. and Visinata from 5 to 8 p.m.

Guests also can browse antique and modern German-made vehicles during the annual All-Marques German Car Show, hosted by the Minerva Car Club, Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lot across from Zoar United Church of Christ. Car owners may register at the church beginning at 10 a.m. the day of Maifest or preregister by calling 330-874-3011 or emailing zoarinfo@zca.org. Registration is $10, and each registrant will receive a free bratwurst at the food and beer hall. Proceeds will benefit preservation and educational activities at Historic Zoar Village.

During Maifest, Zoar also will unveil its America 250-themed exhibit in the Bimeler Museum, “Zoar in 250 Objects.” Inspired by the BBC podcast “A History of the World in 100 Objects,” the exhibit features selected pieces from the Zoar Community Association collection that tell the story of Zoar. It will include two themed rooms, one modeled after a 19th-century child’s room and the other after a room in the Zoar Hotel.

Also on May 9, the village will host a special America 250 art tour highlighting artists who visited Zoar and the locations that became subjects of their work.

Maifest is free and open to the public. During the event, guests may purchase general guided tours of Zoar Village for $5 per adult, while children 11 and younger are admitted free. The discount does not apply to the art tours May 9.

For more information, call 330-874-3011.