Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
German settlers arrived in Brenham as early as 1846, with the growing immigrant community holding Volksfest from 1874 to 1879. Two years later, Maifest began. The oldest festival in Texas, Maifest toasts Brenham's German heritage with a Maypole dance, live music, and traditional German foods. Like many Texas festivals, Maifest also crowns festival kings and queens. Unlike those festivals, however, Maifest introduces its royal court with a serenade by the high school marching band.
This silent footage captures a 1950s Maifest parade, with tractors pulling floats promoting local businesses and social organizations.
Watch the full video at: bit.ly/4a8Ut4s
Explore the web exhibit, Festival Season, at: bit.ly/4pUGtjE
Contributed to the Texas Moving Image Archive Program by the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
#brenham #maifest
German settlers arrived in Brenham as early as 1846, with the growing immigrant community holding Volksfest from 1874 to 1879. Two years later, Maifest began. The oldest festival in Texas, Maifest toasts Brenham's German heritage with a Maypole dance, live music, and traditional German foods. Like many Texas festivals, Maifest also crowns festival kings and queens. Unlike those festivals, however, Maifest introduces its royal court with a serenade by the high school marching band.
This silent footage captures a 1950s Maifest parade, with tractors pulling floats promoting local businesses and social organizations.
Watch the full video at: bit.ly/4a8Ut4s
Explore the web exhibit, Festival Season, at: bit.ly/4pUGtjE
Contributed to the Texas Moving Image Archive Program by the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
#brenham #maifest
