CHICAGO, May 27, 2022 — For centuries, certain regions in Germany have marked the coming of spring and warmer weather with a Maibaum, or a Maypole, decorated with handmade trinkets and wrapped in ribbons. With the large waves of German immigrants to the Midwest, the tradition caught fire in Chicago. In fact, there is a multi-story tall Maypole just outside the Western Brown Line station donated by our sister city, Hamburg Germany.

The cancellation of Maifest in the last two years had a significant financial impact. For this reason, the DANK Haus is overjoyed to be back at the fest, taking place from June 2nd through the 5th, and hopes to raise $30,000. To do this, DANK Haus will have to draw people to them, as they will only receive funds from sales made at their bar. They will be selling drinks, pretzels, and landjäger at their bar and will have information, fun activities, and special freebies at their info table in the tent located at 4715 N. Western Avenue. Visitors can even commemorate their Maifest experience with a memorable photo opp at the wooden Dirndl and Lederhosen cutouts designed by local artist Karl Raack. Guests should be sure to stop by the DANK Haus tent to beat the lines at the busier bars, take a special photo, have some fun with the activities, claim a special DANK Haus giveaway item, and support their local community cultural center since 1959!

Funds raised by the DANK Haus at Maifest Chicago support important services and initiatives at the Haus, including long-awaited accessibility improvements to their 95 year old building. These funds also make it possible for the DANK Haus to provide important community services such as summer camp for children ages 3-9, enriching art exhibitions by international artists, special events that promote cultural understanding, and more.

“Participating in the annual Maifest is not only a fundraising opportunity for the DANK Haus but also a community building event for the celebration of spring and our uniquely German American traditions,” said Monica Jirak, Executive Director of the DANK Haus. The fest offers an important opportunity to be a pillar member of the Lincoln Square community and reach new audiences. At the DANK Haus info booth, visitors can expect to find information about all the DANK Haus’ services including educational opportunities for ages 6 months through adulthood, art and history exhibitions, cultural and community events, and event space for local families and non-profits. 

The DANK Haus bar and info booth will be located near the Auxiliary tent, which will feature live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday’s band in the auxiliary tent, The Tuesdays, is especially near and dear to the DANK Haus as Carol Himmel, longtime DANK friend and partner, is a band member! The DANK Haus extends its thanks to the Maifest Committee for the opportunity to participate. We look forward to coming together with fellow German clubs Rheinischer Verein Chicago, St. Hubertus Jagd Club, the Heimat und Trachtenverein Edelweiss, and the D’Holzhacker Baum to bring this taste of Germany to Chicago.

The DANK Haus German American Cultural Center is located at 4740 N. Western Avenue in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. The cultural center is a cornerstone for German American culture and the community at large.

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EVENT DETAILS

Maifest Chicago

Date & Time: June 2-5th

Location: Lincoln Square

Website: http://www.mayfestchicago.com/index.html 

Details: https://fb.me/e/2dZTK3FZt  

About the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center - The DANK Haus German American Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to preserving and promoting German and German American culture, heritage, and language through maintaining a language school, museum, library, art gallery, and through educational and social programming. It is located in Chicago's historically German neighborhood, Lincoln Square. Core programming includes a German Language School for children and adults, rotating Fine Arts and Museum exhibits, monthly Open Haus, Kulturküche Cooking Classes, Kino, Kaffee und Kuchen, Public Event Viewing Parties, Oktoberfest and more. The DANK Haus is a core member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance – a consortium of ethnic museums, cultural centers and historical societies whose mission is to effect social change through cultural diversity. For more information, visit www.dankhaus.com.