Celebrating Maschgara (after figuring out what it is)

Standing in front of the local grocery store, the automatic door wouldn't open. "Closed for Maschgara starting at 1 p.m." I assumed it was some sort store celebration until I tried the other grocery store: closed visited other shops and they were all closed.

Clothing shop on the marketplace, as seen in reflection:

From A. Reiter in Austria

Then I saw this near the market square--the Tamsweg Band (complete with a few local students:

I spent a few minutes watching the band and the Maschgara with a small crowd, then I headed home, eager to figure out what was going on (I felt too weird asking one of the costume-clad folks). After doing some research, it appears that Maschgara is related to Fasching, and comes from the Roman holiday of Saturnalia, whereby the slaves could dress and act like their masters for that time. Maschgara are the folks in costume, who march around and do various things (play music, parade, etc.)
Just another day in Tamsweg. ;)

UPDATE 19-1: A colleague informed me last night in the bar (the very same one pictured in the last photo) that this Maschgara is not only related to Fasching, but also to a 250-year-old brotherhood in Tamsweg (which currently has 800 members). The brotherhood started as a guild of craftsmen who weren't part of any other guilds and wanted the same benefits, and has endured to this day. Now, most native Tamswegers and any men who have lived in Tamsweg for more than 20 years can join. Of course, only men can join.

On this night, though, the brotherhood parade through the streets, dressed up (Maschgara) and can go to any business that is open and ask for free things. This is why all the stores, except the bars, were closed. They do sing or do speeches, but mostly they just get free beer.