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Germantown`s annual Mai Fest halted due to venue problems
Germantown`s annual Mai Fest halted due to venue problems
GERMANTOWN -- Stop the band, keep the kegs and put away the lederhosen. An annual festival in Germantown isn't happening this year. After 27 consecutive years, locals are saying "Auf Wiedersehen" to Mai Fest.
It wouldn't be Germantown without a big German festival.
"You get to hear the music and the food and the drinking," said Kayla Gleixner, West Bend resident.
The parking lot at the corner of Squire and Mequon Road is usually the go-to spot for Mai Fest. It's the annual spring version of Oktoberfest, celebrated during the third weekend of every May.
"That's kind of like the beginning of festival season," said Bruce Capello, Germantown resident.
This year, Mai Fest is kaput -- ending a long, unbroken streak.
Mai Fest
"This would have been the 28th consecutive year we've had Mai Fest," said the Director of Mai Fest, Chris Yatchak.
Chris Yatchak
Yatchak says he was given notice in January from the parking lot property owner, Compass Properties.
"It was a bit of a shock," said Yatchak.
A company spokesman tells FOX6 News, Compass Properties has always worked with Mai Fest in the past, allowing the group free use of the space. He says this year, "the company is engaged in a transaction at the moment concerning this property. Therefore, we do not have the ability to grant permission to use the space."
"We looked at other parks, there's commitments to athletic events at other parks," said Yatchak.
After failing to secure another venue, Yatchak pulled the plug on Mai Fest in March. News has only just begun to circulate around town.
"It would be kind of a loss for the community not having that happening," said Andrea Carey, never been to Mai fest.
Organizers say they're already formulating a plan to tap the kegs and strike up the band next year.
"Be patient! We'll be back in 2017," said Yatchak.
The Deutschstadt Heritage Foundation sponsors the event. It's the group's largest fundraiser -- but they are financially secure to get by without it this year.