The MainStrasse Village Association's Maifest has been named one of Kentucky's Top 10 festivals for spring.

        Maifest, a mid-May festival that revolves around the German tradition of welcoming the first spring wines, is the only Northern Kentucky event among the Kentucky Tourism Council's spring “Top 10” festivals, said Karen Pearl, operations manager for the Kentucky Tourism Council.

        “Obviously, we're thrilled that they've gotten this designation,” said Sheree Allgood, communications manager for the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It's a wonderfully unique event for the area, and we're blessed to have the MainStrasse Village as a tourist draw.”

        This year, the 23rd annual Maifest is scheduled for May 17-19. Spread over four city blocks in Covington's MainStrasse Village, the event attracts between 125,000 and 150,000 visitors during its three-day run. Maifest features traditional German entertainment on three stages, food and drink, a midway with rides for all ages, and works of art for sale by more than 100 artisans and crafters.

        Each season, a panel of three judges chooses the Kentucky Tourism Council's “Top 10” events, Ms. Pearl said.

        Criteria for choosing the festivals include the popularity of the event, the impact on the local community (including economic), cultural, creative and historical aspects of the event, potential publicity generated by the festival, community involvement, and its ability to capture the spirit of its purpose.

        Ms. Allgood said the German-themed MainStrasse Village's focus on the area's German heritage adds to its uniqueness. Besides its shops and restaurants, the area hosts one-of-a-kind architecture, such as Mother of God Church.

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