Celebrate spring in Amana with Maifest

AMANA — Celebrate spring Maifest, the traditional German celebration of spring, in the Amana Colonies May 6 and 7.

Festivities kick off Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. with a parade through Amana. In the heart of town, the Festhalle Barn is the site for food and drink at the "Take A Bite Food Truck Fair" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A bar inside the barn will be open until 5 p.m. Saturday and from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The Festhalle Barn will be center stage for two days of music and dancing. Musical performances by All Natural and Blame Not the Bard are intermixed with dance performances by Robert Thomas Dancenter Irish Performance Team and Native Pride Dancers. The traditional Maipole Dancers will perform at several locations throughout Amana during the weekend.

On Saturday, Regan's Face Painting will offer free face painting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Festhalle Barn. Child friendly games and crafts will be available for kids of all ages as well. Ackerman Winery will be hosting the Hilton Willing Worker's 4-H Club and their kids’ mini carnival.

Sunday continues the annual seasonal kick off with the Wine and Chocolate Walk. Stroll through the village trying locally crafted wines and chocolate treats. Passports for the walk are available at the Visitor Center for $5. Complete the passport between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get a limited edition Maifest wineglass to take home.

For a complete list of activities taking place in the Amana Colonies for Maifest visit the Amana Colonies Visitors Center, www.amanacolonies.com, or call (319) 622-7622.