1st May represents joy at the beginning of Spring in the Bavarian Forest and is celebrated with the raising of a maypole in Zwiesel.

Even if nobody admits it, of course everywhere in the region competes to have the highest (40 metres is quite often seen) and the most beautiful tree. Each maypole has its own appearance. Often it will be raised with bark but often the bark is taken off and the pole is painted blue and white and hung with colourful rings, or decorated with carved figures and crowns.