By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - Maifest officially opens tonight with the uncorking of a bottle of wine.

Organizers of the annual MainStrasse Village Maifest, billed as one of the Top 10 Festivals in Kentucky for spring 2003, expect up to 175,000 people for the three-day run.

IF YOU GO

What: 24th annual MainStrasse Village Maifest When: 5-11 p.m. today; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday Where: Four city blocks along the Sixth Street Promenade and Philadelphia Street, extending into Goebel Park Features: Rides for all ages with $12 all-you-can-ride ticket, German and other ethnic foods, 80 arts and crafts booths and continuous live entertainment on three stages. Parking: A free shuttle will stop at the following parking lots: Westin Hotel in Cincinnati IRS parking lot in Covington at Fourth and Johnson streets Covington city parking lot at Seventh Street and Scott Boulevard Covington city parking garage at Fifth Street and Scott Boulevard Parking lot near Jillian's Covington city parking lot at the River Center complex Parking lot behind the Fifth Third Bank in Fort Wright Information: (859) 491-0458 To enter the Miss Maifest beauty pageant: contact Yvonne Burkart at (859) 344-0213

Based on the German tradition of welcoming the first spring wines, the event features international cuisine, works by 80 artisans and crafts people, a midway with rides and live entertainment on three stages. For one weekend in mid-May, organizers transform a four-block area in and around Goebel Park into a miniature version of Munich.

"There's been a Maifest for 24 years, and each year, we try to make it better," said Jerry Bamberger, director of the MainStrasse Village Association.

This year, there's even a Miss Maifest competition. For a $25 entry fee, single women from 16 to 21 can vie for a crown, flowers and sash and a chance to ride in Covington's annual Memorial Day parade.

"In the beginning, it was all German," said Dolores Carpenter, owner of the 20-year-old Linden Noll Gift Haus in the MainStrasse Village. "Now we have a lot more diverse entertainment and a bigger variety of food."

More than a dozen new vendors are expected, including Flower Fountains and its stained-glass and copper fountains, the Texas-based Healing Glow Candle Studio and a booth offering hand-carved wooden frogs.

Maifest was named one of Kentucky's Top 10 festivals because of the number of people it attracts, its economic impact, and publicity generated, said Allison Hahn, membership development coordinator of the Kentucky Tourism Council.

"This is a great honor when you consider that Maifest was competing against events like the Kentucky Derby Festival and Thunder Over Louisville," Hahn said.

As in the past, plainclothes and uniformed officers will patrol the area from Fourth to Ninth streets and from Interstate 75 to Russell Street. MainStrasse residents also have a special number to call if they have questions or concerns about the festival.

"We'll be on foot, on motorcycles, on quad runners and in cruisers,"said Covington Police Spc. George Russell. "The only thing we won't have is a helicopter."

Besides the usual German bratwurst, sauerkraut balls and potato pancakes, Maifest offers Chinese to Mediterranean cuisine. Festival-goers also can preview specialties from the June 21-22 Glier's Goettafest, including goetta pizza from Papa John's and goetta links.

Workers from Eddie's Southern Style Bar-B-Q and Catering in Florence also will have a booth for the 10th consecutive year.

"Even though it's billed as a German event, it's pretty diverse," said Eddie's employee Cynthia Smith. "It's a true multicultural event."

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com