Der Maibaum (The Maypole) - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

AO Edited

Der Maibaum (The Maypole)

Oak Shade Grove
Oregon, Ohio

A focal point for the German American Festival-Society symbolizing the "Spirit of Unity' and fellowship for the Toledo area. 

A towering maypole surrounded by trees View all photos
Maibaum - Oregon, Oh melancorking (Atlas Obscura User)
A towering maypole surrounded by trees
Maibaum - Oregon, Oh melancorking (Atlas Obscura User)
Maibaum-Spirit of Unity melancorking (Atlas Obscura User)
22
51
Top Places in Ohio
Aerial view of the The Great Serpent Mound, one of the most important prehistoric effigy mound od Adema Culture.
The Great Serpent Mound
Peebles, Ohio
Skeleton of Jeff Davis
Sugarcreek, Ohio
SAM 26000
Dayton, Ohio
 See All

A maypole is tucked away in a quiet, suburban Ohio park outside of Toledo. The colorful wooden maypole is a permanent feature of the park, celebrating the region’s Germanic and Swiss heritage. 

The maypole becomes a central point every year during the annual German-American Festival, which is usually held in August. The festival has been going on since 1966, making it the longest-running Toledo Geman cultural festival, and features German food, beer, music, folk dancing, and entertainment. 

Throughout the rest of the year, Oak Shade Grove is used for other events, such as weddings, soccer matches, Sommerfest, and more.

Look closely and you’ll notice that the towering 63-foot-tall maypole shows a squirrel holding a stein. When the maypole was reconstructed in 2015, a squirrel was found nesting in the center of the pole, so artists honored the furry mammal by carving the creature into the pole.

midsummer cultures paganism holidays festivals public art parks
Community Contributors
m
Added by
melancorking
ski queen
Edited by
ski queen
Published
September 21, 2023
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
Jimmy Carter's Hot Dog Bun
2.18 miles
Art Tatum Celebration Column
3.82 miles
The Cloister
5.01 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Toledo, Ohio

Jimmy Carter's Hot Dog Bun

This restaurant proudly displays bread signed by the 39th president.
Toledo, Ohio

Art Tatum Celebration Column

A 30-foot stack of piano keys memorializes one of the greatest keys players in jazz history.
Toledo, Ohio

The Cloister

Centuries-old columns from French monasteries provide structure for this courtyard within an Ohio art museum.
1915 Michigan border post
Erie, Michigan

Michigan's Lost Peninsula

This small piece of Michigan is entirely surrounded by Ohio.
Related Places
Seurasaari Open Air Museum.
Helsinki, Finland

Seurasaari Open Air Museum

A small island dotted with old, historic Finnish buildings.
El Paso, Texas

Lincoln Park aka Chicano Park

Local artists have long claimed these highway pylons as a place to celebrate Mexican-American history through artwork.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Two Spirits Carving

A mysterious sculpture is hidden in Vancouver's Stanley Park.
Tokyo, Japan

Hanegi Park

The 650 red and white Japanese plum trees of this Tokyo neighborhood blossom each spring.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web