Archive for the ‘Maifest’ Category

May 2012 in Leavenworth

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Village Art in the Park Begins May 4 and runs each weekend through October 21. Village Art in the Park began in 1966 and is the longest running outdoor art show in the state. It’s a non-profit that provides art education funding and scholarships. Hours for Art in the Park are 9am-6pm Friday-Sunday. In July and August they’ll add Thursdays, too.

May 5 Bavarian Battle: “The Bavarian Battle is a gnarly 5k obstacle run held in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. Racers will jump, slide, run, climb, hop and crawl their way to the finish line.” Billed as the “dirtiest event of the year.” Follow them on Facebook, too!

May 11-13 MaiFest: Celebrate spring in Leavenworth, Washington at a traditional Bavarian folk festival. The free, family oriented festival is filled with tons of entertainment and events. Folk dancers twirl and dance in front of and around the Maibaum (May Pole) in Front Street right in the center of Leavenworth. The village goes all out to welcome spring. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day, too. Read more about Maifest on the Maifest page.

May 12, 7am, Lions Club Park. Lions Club Breakfast: all you can eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and milk. A fundraiser for Leavenworth Lions Club. $6 for adults.

May 17-20 10th Annual Spring Bird Fest: “The Leavenworth area features spectacular habitats ranging from snow-capped mountains to sunny ponderosa pine forests, to lush riparian zones, to shrub-steppe. All our field trips are led by experts and professionals in their field. Learn about the wide variety of migratory birds that come here for a brief, but important part of their year: the breeding season. Hear the songs sung only during the breeding season while you stroll, bike, boat, or van during the height of wildflower season. While birding is the heart of the weekend, activities also include wildflower walks, arts events, and family activities to ensure fun and learning for everyone, and for birders of all skill levels, with enough built-in “down time” to explore the friendly Bavarian village that we call home.” Check out this year’s events. Because it’s the 10th annual fest, special events are planned.

Ohme Gardens is open. Hours 9am-6pm daily until Memorial Day, then 9am-7pm daily through Labor Day. Mother’s Day Tea noon-4pm, Sunday May 13.

If you haven’t yet made lodging reservations, check our Stay page for a complete listing of accommodations, where you’ll find places to stay for every taste and budget. Looking for more to do in Leavenworth? Check out our Play page for activities, events and things to see and do for everyone in the family.

A Taste of Bavarian Spring

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

The Gazebo in springtime

It’s March already and spring is only a few short days away. (Don’t forget to “Spring Forward” this coming Saturday night!) You know what they say, in spring a young girl’s heart turns to…Leavenworth! The snow will soon be melting, the river ice will break up and the wildflowers will begin to bloom again. Spring is a wonderful time to visit Leavenworth, and the village has a new festival to say goodbye to Old Man Winter and welcome the beautiful new season. April is now the month to celebrate Springtime with A Taste of Spring. Begin with a March 31 Front Street Festival filled with complimentary tastings such as locally grown pears, Bavarian taste treats, pear-infused olive oil, artisan chocolate, locally crafted beer and cured meats and gourmet cheese. There will also be street performances and an international marketplace.

For more information on this festival and activities throughout the month of April (including lodging and restaurant promotions) visit the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce website and our own front page. We publish an ever-growing and ever-changing list of events and activities right on our front page.

Traditional Folk Dancers

Also in April look for Leavenworth Choral Festival and the Ale-Fest. Check our Festivals page for dates and links.

In May visit Leavenworth for Maifest, May 11-13. There will be all sorts of family-oriented activities, a parade featuring horse-drawn wagons and Bernese Mountain Dogs, folk dancers and the traditional Maipole. The beautiful Riverfront Park is a wonderful place for a quiet walk with your family. Leavenworth in May is a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring and Mother’s Day.

The weekend after Maifest visit Leavenworth for the 10th annual Spring Bird Fest, where you’re invited to “Celebrate Birdsong and Explore the Natural World.” Events include guided birding field trips, guided wildflower viewing, art events and family activities. Birders of all skill levels are invited. Visit the Bird Fest website to pre-register for activities.

Whichever weekend you make your visit to Leavenworth this spring, make sure you plan plenty of free time to Shop, Eat and Play in the beautiful Bavarian style village. For lodging options and links to hotels, cabins and bed and breakfast inns, visit our Stay page.

Wildflowers on Blackbird Island

The Wenatchee River from Blackbird Island

MaiFest Flower Awards

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Beautiful flowers decorate the village of Leavenworth, Washington

Beauty blooms all summer

The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce recently announced the MaiFest Flower Awards.
Be sure to click on each photo in Visit Leavenworth’s Facebook album, to see it in detail.

Congratulations to the winners:

Munchen Haus: Most Spectacular Spring Flower Display

Innsbrucker Building: Oodles of Blooms

Pension Anna Hotel: Bountiful Blooming Balcony

Heidleburger: Burgers and Shakes: Great Flowers

We were in Leavenworth in April and saw the beginnings of the flower boxes being planted. It’s been a cool and wet spring for the area. It’s lovely to see that the flowers are blooming and putting on their usual show.

Flowers enhance the romance of the Gazebo

Dancing at the Gazebo

A recent comment on our Facebook page gave us a little perspective:
“I remember the day when it was the Women’s Garden Club only. Then plastic flowers flourished as year round decorations. Ernie Bielitzer and I lobbied loud and long for the real thing. “No one will take care of them”, “It will never work” “It’s too damn much trouble!” was my favorite. Once Don May joined the fray, well, look what you’ve got now. Way to go!!!!”

Wow, Karendawn, thank you for this insight. More importantly, big thanks to you and others who made this happen. I know that Leavenworth is a more beautiful place because of your work.