IN AUSTRIA, PEOPLE WEAR SCARY MASKS AT FASCHING OR CARNIVAL
TIME. THEY DANCE IN THE STREETS, LAUGH AND SING, RING BELLS
AND MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS THEY CAN. PEOPLE SAY THAT ALL THE NOISE
WILL SCARY ( SCARE ) WINTER SO THAT SPRING CAN COME.
FASCHING IS LENT.

Data entry tech comment: FASCHING IS BEFORE LENT, I.E., ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH
WEDNESDAY.
IN PRE-CHRISTIAN TIMES, SPRING RITES WERE HELD MAINLY TO SYMBOLIZE A
FIGHT BETWEEN WINTER AND SPRING. THE PEOPLE FOUGHT AGAINST OR
SCARED WINTER BY WEARING MASKS AND COSTUMES AND MAKING LOUD NOISES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER HILLS