Mayday! Mayday!

So, May 1 is a pretty big deal here in Germany. 

According to the always factual Wikipedia: 

In April 1933, the recently installed Nazi government declared May 1 the "Day of National Work," an official state holiday, and announced that all celebrations were to be organized by the government. Any separate celebrations by communists, or Bolsheviks were banned. After the World War II, May 1 remained a state holiday in both East and West Germany. In communist East Germany, workers were de facto required to participate in large state-organized parades on Mayday. Today in Germany it is simply called the "Day of Labour" ("Tag der Arbeit"), and there are numerous demonstrations and celebrations by independent workers' organizations.

Our little village of Oberstaufenbach tends to keep the politics out of it and make it more of a fair, hence the flyer that arrived at our door last week:

Mrs. Brewmaster is over in the states for a conference, so mein Sonne and I decided to check it out.  While it was no Summerfest--what can you expect from a population of 250!--it was nice.  They had a beer tent set up-- €2.20 (about $2.92 US) for a half-liter of draft pilsner.  We were first treated to the Village Choir:

Next, the Mayor gave a short speech about "Tag der Arbeit" but I found my thoughts drifting toward the wonderful aromas that this bad boy was churning out:

The black box in the center holds burning logs and a series of cut-outs in the sides of the box exposes the pork rolls to the heat.

Mikey and I treated ourselves to a plate of Rollbraten mit Brot, and it was absolutely delicious:

It was a great day.  Sunny, not too hot, no humidity and no bugs.

Here are a few more photos of the event: