Maifest, a German Tradition

Since 1881, a very colorful scene has unfolded in Brenham, Texas each May. This festival is known as Maifest. It is a celebration highlighting our proud German heritage as well as showcasing the youth of our community. Except for several years during World War I and World War II, this event has been held annually since 1881 and has evolved into one of the most widely attended festivals in Texas.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers work countless hours to produce a Junior and Senior parade and coronation along with a fun filled festival which includes a Kinder Village, authentic German tastes and sounds, cooking contests as well as quality artisans from around the state.

Maifest marks the revival of life in early spring after a long cold winter. In medieval times, Maifest became the favorite holiday. People would gather spring flowers to decorate their homes and churches. They chose a King and Queen of May and villagers danced around the Maipole.

In 1986, the Axel F. Baehren Family of Brenham, Texas donated the Maipole located on the grounds of Fireman’s Park. The current Maipole is based on the design of a Maipole that dates back to 1762 A.D., the replica of which is now standing in Bavaria, West Germany. Brenham’s Maipole depicts the figures found in the Maifest logo.

The week is kicked off with an official ribbon cutting and Maipole dance. Friday showcases the Junior Maifest courts and Saturday focuses on the Senior Maifest courts. Saturday starts with a morning parade in historic downtown Brenham which include area bands, beautifully decorated floats, clowns and all the entries that make a parade exciting. The parade starts at 10:30am at the corner of Market St & Main St, turns around at Austin St and returns via Alamo St.

Immediately following the parade an all-you-can-eat ice cream festival begins with the opening of Maifestival at Fireman’s Park. The evening celebrations are held at the Fireman’s Park Baseball Field and include performances highlighting the local youth depicting the themes for the year. Live music concludes the evenings in the park. The festival continues through Sunday with many of the same activities as well as bean bag tournaments and a home-brew beer competition.

Come join us May 2-4, 2014, to celebrate our long-standing German heritage tradition!
More info: www.Maifest.org or www.VisitBrenhamTexas.com

5 on FRIDAY: April 25-27, 2014

This is going to be a fun weekend filled with activities for every age!

1) Cotton Gin Festival in Burton - all day fun on Saturday starting with a parade at 10am followed by shopping, tractor pull, cotton ginning, petting zoo, pie eating contests, live music, lots of food, and much more! This year is the 25th annual festival and the 100th anniversary of the gin! Schedule

2) Shakespeare at Winedale featuring Macbeth! Performances are Fri & Sat at 7pm. Tickets

3) The Brenham Flea Market at the Washington County Fairgrounds - Sat 8-5 & Sun 10-5. Lots and lots of various new-to-you treasures!

4) Open patio at Brazos Valley Brewery and Wine Down Fridays at Pleasant Hill, plus tastings and tours at Windy Winery and Saddlehorn Winery!

5) Cajun Fest at The Kenney Store on Sunday afternoon. All you can eat crawfish and live music by Waylon Thibodeaux starting at noon. Tickets

There's more! Music and ministry and awareness walks and remembrances......

Check our calendar for details regarding all events...
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We look forward to seeing you! :-)

Burton's Cane Tradition

With Burton's annual Cotton Gin Festival coming up this weekend, we thought it would be nice to share with you a fun tradition that's been going on for many years.

In Burton, the “Ball in Cage” cane tradition began with a quiet unassuming man named Oliver Whitener. During his lifetime, Oliver Whitener never sold a cane. He gave his hand carved canes to only very dear friends and some Burton non-profit organizations. These lucky organizations would then auction the canes during their annual fundraisers.

The Burton Lions Club, the Volunteer Fire Department, the American Legion, and the Burton Cotton Gin Museum all received these prized canes – each made from different woods – and each cane raising funds for their operations. With the passing of Burton’s beloved “cane maker” in May 2005, it appeared to all that Burton had lost a great supporter and that his legacy would only be a memory.

Then in March 2006, the Burton Cotton Gin Museum received by mail a cardboard box containing an exquisitely carved cane with a letter signed by Mr. A. Nony Mous…

"For several years I have watched Mr. Whitener’s canes being auctioned off at the spring Cotton Gin Festival and have been fascinated by the cane’s construction as well as how the canes help support your organization’s efforts. It seemed such a shame that the tradition has been discontinued. I would like to continue the carved cane tradition by donating a cane each year to the spring Cotton Gin Festival and again in the fall for the Barn Dance. This is not an attempt to copy Mr. Whitener’s work, although the ball in cage style will continue in his honor.

The first cane was made of mesquite on the top part and cypress on the bottom. Two different woods are used to show the color contrast for what I call the "impossible dove tail joint.” This joint looks like it is impossible to put together or take apart, but if you know the secret!!!! The dove tail is solid all the way through and was hand cut. The detail on the carved ball is a mosaic pin, which consists of brass, copper and stainless steel rods and tubes put together to make the design. The quarter on the handle is a Barber Quarter, which was in circulation at the time the gin was opened in 1914.

Each cane will be different in the future and I will strive to make each one better than the last. It is my hope that the mystique of the past canes will continue with these new ones and greatly benefit the Burton Cotton Gin & Museum.”

Mystery Cane #1 was auctioned at the Burton Cotton Gin Festival and purchased for $2,400. 

Then in September 2006, the Burton Cotton Gin received Mystery Cane #2 by express mail with the following letter, also signed by Mr. A. Nony Mous:

"1915 was the second year that the Burton Cotton Gin was in business so; it seemed appropriate that the second cane would represent the second year of operation. The cane you are looking at is made of American black cherry on the top and bottom section, with the center cage material being Central American Cocobolo. Both woods are very hard and brittle plus I added another mystery dovetail joint. These conditions kept the cane on the workbench longer than anticipated. The coin on top is a Barber quarter and the mosaic pin appears on the ball again.

You guys have done a great job this year with the Wehring house and all the other work done on the grounds. The board members, office staff and all the boll weevils (dedicated volunteers!) deserve a huge thank you for their hard work. It looks like the barn dance is shaping up to be a lot of fun and a great success. I will see you all there and you will see me as well, but will you recognize me?”

Mystery Cane #2 was auctioned at the Barn Dance & Dinner Gala, October 21, 2006, and purchased for $3,500.

Each Festival and Barn Dance has found Mr. A. Nony Mous holding true to his word… the Cane Tradition continues. The Museum is honored by the talent and generosity of “Mr. Mous” twice each year…and each cane is more exquisite than the one before. Proceeds from the funds the Mystery Cane raise are used for the restoration, preservation and support of the Burton Cotton Gin Museum.

Although no one at the Burton Cotton Gin knows the identity of this magnanimous benefactor, it appears that he or she knows everything that is going on at the Burton Cotton Gin Museum, and approves. Thank you “Mr. A. Nony Mous” … whoever you are!

* Credit for text and pictures goes to Texas Cotton Gin Museum

5 on THURSDAY: Apr 17-20, 2014

Happy Easter, y'all! We're off tomorrow for Good Friday, so we're sharing what's to do this weekend now. There's quite a few Easter things in addition to our regular fun...

1) Easter Egg Hunts (arrive early at all locations):

• Thursday at 6pm at Fireman's Park in Brenham - no charge
• Friday & Saturday at 11am at Antique Rose Emporium - no charge
• Saturday at 10am at Appel Ford - no charge
• Sunday at 11:30am at The Citadel - and a champagne brunch! Tickets

2) Live Music:

• Bluebonnet Opry is tonight at Silver Wings Ballroom - doors open at 5:30pm.
• The Kenney Store on Friday & Saturday nights, 8pm
• Nathan's BBQ on Friday night, 6-9pm
• Buffalo Creek on Friday night, 8pm

3) Historical Programs:

• National Holidays of the Republic at Washington on the Brazos, Saturday, 11am, 1pm, 3pm
• Sleep Tight at Fanthorp Inn, Saturday, 11am-3:45pm

4) Wine Down Fridays at Pleasant Hill Winery, 3pm till sunset

5) Take a drive along the Bluebonnet Trail! The bluebonnets still look nice, but have hit peak so don't wait much longer to come see them! Check our Wildflower Watch for details & map.

Have a happy and blessed weekend. :-)

Calendar Details:
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5 on FRIDAY: Apr 11-13, 2014

April springs to life with wildflowers and people ready to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful weather. Here are our TOP 5 suggestions for what to do this weekend in Washington County...

1) Live music Fri and Sat nights at several locations throughout Washington County. Great tunes, drinks and food make for a fun night out!

2) Wine & Beer: Wine Down Fridays at Pleasant Hill Winery 3 till sunset. Open patio at Brazos Valley Brewery Fri 5-9 and Sat 11-7. It's also the last weekend for the Bluebonnet Wine & Cheese Trail at all three of our wineries.

3) The Official Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill is Sat 9-6 and Sun 9-5. All
day shopping, food, music and fun!

4) "Laundry and Bourbon" is playing at Unity Theatre - this is the last weekend!

5) Historical programs at Fanthorp Inn (San Jacinto Ball) and Washington on the Brazos (Scottish in Early Texas) on Sat. Details

Calendar Details:
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Have a great time exploring all our rich history and beautiful bluebonnets!

5 on FRIDAY: Apr 4-6, 2014

Hold on to your hats, this weekend is jam-packed with fun! There is a lot to do, but here are five fun to-do's to consider...

If your main focus is finding bluebonnets, read this.

Try your hand at roping cattle
at Miracle Farm Day!

1) Round Top Antiques! Saturday is the last day of the Spring Show. Enjoy all day shopping through thousands of antiques in Round Top, Carmine & Warrenton.

2) A Day at Miracle Farm is on Saturday, 10:30am-3pm. This is a yearly event held by the boys of Miracle Farm, giving you a chance to see the program, ride horses, play games, and enjoy family-friendly fun and food while learning about the Farm's ministry.

3) Historic Coles Settlement Tours in Independence - Sat 10-4 & Sun 1-4. Last weekend!

The historic homes in Brenham will also be available for tours this Sunday only from 1-4. Tickets are available the day of at any of the three homes for $20.

Giddings Stone Mansion in Brenham

4) Farmers & Artisans Markets - Sat morning in Burton 9-12, and Sun in Brenham from 11-4. Burton is also holding "Trade Days" on Sat 9-5 which is a big outdoor garage sale of sorts.

In Brenham Home Sweet Farm is holding their Monthly Market Day on Sunday 11-4 in Downtown Brenham at which there will be lots of produce and locally grown, raised and made foods, music, pony cart rides, and more. Delicious farm-fresh lunch items will also be available.

5) Bluebonnet Wine & Cheese Trail is happening at all 3 of our wineries Sat 11-6 and Sun noon-5. Get your tickets online before heading out. Two weekends left to hit all 7 wineries on the trail!

There's also live music going on Friday & Saturday nights, live theatre at Unity Theatre in Brenham, and Wine Down Fridays at Pleasant Hill Winery!

Our wildflowers are looking really good, too. We might be getting close to peak in some areas, but there's still 2-3 weeks left of flowers, at least. If you want to get the nitty-gritty, check out our Wildflower Watch for current updates. We also wrote out the best places to find flowers as of March 30 that you may find helpful.

Check out the calendar for details about all the above events and more...
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SATURDAY
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Have a great time exploring! :-)