Maifest In Leavenworth

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.

Maifest Dancers

But first…The Alphorn sounds at noon on Saturday, signaling the start of the Grand Parade. Townspeople dressed in Trachten (traditional Bavarian clothing, like dirndl skirts and lederhosen) lead a procession down Front Street of goats carts, horse drawn wagons and Bernese mountain dogs decked out in flowers and pulling flower decorated carts, accompanied by oompah bands and folk dancing. Spring is really here and it couldn’t come to you and your family in a more beautiful setting.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video by a family who visited Leavenworth during a past MaiFest with their Bernese puppy, Tanner. Leavenworth is a very pet friendly town all year-long, but MaiFest is an extra special time to visit with your four-legged family members. Visit our Pets page to find out places to stay and eat that have designated themselves as “Pet-Friendly.”

Leavenworth is nestled in the east slope of the central Cascade Mountain range. The surrounding mountain peak will still be covered with snow but down below, in the village, expect a warm spring day, in a typical year. We dress in light layers in Leavenworth in May. The village flower boxes and baskets will have been planted and flowers will be blooming. See a past blog post for links to the 2011 MaiFest Flower Award winners. Trees will be leafed out and the whole area will be decked out in an infinite variety of verdant spring color. Check our Weather page for live webcams and links to weather forecasts.

Here’s a great Flickr album from Maifest in Leavenworth.

When you and your family need a quiet break from the festivities, wander down to Waterfront Park and Blackbird Island. Waterfront Park is one of Leavenworth’s best kept secrets. The trail is flat. It follows the Wenatchee River. Visit Icicle Inn’s website and download a map of the park trail and view images taken at the park. If you’d like to adventure further afield than Waterfront Park, there are hundreds of miles of trails in the area for your family to explore on foot or mountain bike. And check with Stevens Pass Mountain Resort to see if there might still be some late spring skiing or to see if the Stevens Pass Mountain Bike Park is open for spring riding yet.

If you’d like to do some white water or scenic river rafting the season for both is in full swing in May. Check out our Sports and Recreation page for links to guides and outfitters in the area.

Our Play page has ideas and links for all sorts of activities for you and your family. While in Leavenworth you can golf, visit museums, go on wine tasting tours, visit the Fish Hatchery, hike and listen to live music.

Back in Leavenworth the village will be lively with all sorts of local and traveling entertainers. There will be folk dancing, live music and a Bavarian costume contest.

Are you looking for a place to Stay in Leavenworth? Check our Stay page for links to lodging options from rental cabins and budget motels to fine hotels and pensions. You can also enjoy bed and breakfasts in every price range and style in Leavenworth. Many B&B’s offer gourmet breakfasts and have winery and vineyard tour options. Check out our Staycation blog post for ideas for staying and playing close to home, in Leavenworth.

While you’re in Leavenworth, you’ll need to eat. Our Eat page has links to every restaurant, café and coffee shop in Leavenworth. You’ll find traditional German fare like bratwurst and sauerkraut as well as international cuisine, such as Italian and Mexican. Find treats & sweets throughout the village. The Gingerbread Factory on Commercial Street has a lunch menu of sandwiches and salads along with yummy cookies and, of course, gingerbread! They’re open for breakfast and espresso. For breakfast, grab a pastry at Bakery Creations or the Danish Bakery. For a heartier breakfast try Sandy’s Waffle House.

Leavenworth, Washington is a wonderful place to celebrate the arrival of spring. Come enjoy warm mountain sunshine and a wonderful spring festival in Washington State’s Little Bavaria.