Maifest - The Cole Camp way

Cole Camp residents celebrated their German heritage and the spring season Saturday with Maifest activities for pets and people.

Emily Kraisinger, a student trainer with Be A Good Dog University, helped pet owners teach their pooches how to behave and participate in an agility course.

“Treats work wonders,” Kraisinger said.

Kraisinger and her male Staffordshire terrier mix named Dozer showed others how to jump through hoops, weave through a maze and leap over small barriers. She said most dogs have problems with pulling away from their owners while walking and the university can help with training and obedience.

About a dozen dogs dressed in bows, hats and scarfs participated in the pet fashion show Saturday morning and walked in the parade.
Barbara Ulmer, of Syracuse, brought her Yorkie, Chipper, to Cole Camp to participate in the fashion show.

“I think it’s great,” Ulmer said.

Megan Craig, of Green Ridge, has been attending Maifest for three years.

“I like it. It’s a good thing for the town to do,” Craig said.

She said her favorite part of the festivities was the dog show.

“I am a dog person,” Craig said.

People lined the streets of downtown to watch the parade and the raising of the Maibaum.

Jason Veale, of Cole Camp, helped raise the Maibaum and also sings with the Cole Camp German singing group, Gemischterchor.
“This year is the start of making it larger,” Veale said. “It’s celebrating the German heritage.”

Maifest celebrations began in Cole Camp in 2003. Larry Stelling, president of the Cole Camp Chamber of Commerce, said one purpose of the celebration is to bring people to the city and support the local merchants.

“We’ve got the reputation of being the festival city in Benton County,” Stelling said, adding that each year the festival grows and they try to add new things.

Mala Barnes, of Kansas City, visited friends in the area and was looking forward to the celebration.
“I always wish everybody a happy May day,” Barnes said.

People enjoyed bratwurst and hot dogs, but for Larry Robbins, of Edwards, the homemade peanut brittle was the best.

“That was the highlight of my day,” Robbins said.

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