Was ist los in Franken? Nov. 6, 2015

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St. Martin’s parades are common in all of Germany and many European countries. (Photo: Ökumenischer St. Martinszug in Flensburg, Wikipedia)

ANSBACH, Germany (Nov. 6, 2015) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

St. Martin’s Day – A German tradition
Martinstag or Martini on Nov. 11 commemorates St. Martin (ca. 317-397), Bishop of Tours, one of the most revered European saints. The best-known legend connected with Saint Martin is the dividing of the cloak; Martin, then a soldier in the Roman army, tore his cloak in two pieces to share it with a freezing beggar at Amiens. Later in life he became a bishop. Although ‘Martinstag’ is a Catholic observance, German Protestants also consider November 11 a special day, the christening day of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). The protestant “Pelzemärtl” brings Franconian children little gifts.
Many towns and villages organize lantern parades for elementary school kids, complete with a St. Martin on horseback and a beggar. Often a small market is connected to the holiday (not a federal holiday). Very popular is also the traditional goose dinner on St. Martin’s Day.
For Carnival lovers the day also marks the beginning of the Fasching season, starting exactly at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Sleep-over at the Nürnberg Zoo
Children between 8 and 12 years can roll out their sleeping bag in front of the panorama windows and watch dolphins, manatees and sea lions as they go to sleep. The night at the zoo (including food) costs 70 euros; it starts at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 10 a.m. the next morning. To learn more, go to http://tiergarten.nuernberg.de/entdecken/aktuell/detail/news/2015-10-29-tiergarten-uebernachtungen-im-blauen-salon.html

Charity Flea Market in Dinkelsbühl
The ‘Freie evangelische Gemeinde’ in Dinkelsbühl (Wittener Str. 7) is hosting a charity flea market Nov. 7 between 1 and 6 p.m.; shoppers can enjoy free coffee and tea while browsing (donations welcome). Vendors can set up a table for a donation as well. To register for a table, call 09851-5249051.

Rothenburger Lichterlauf
The Rothenburger Lichterlauf, a race in and around the torch-lit city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, takes place Nov 7, starting with a Bambini race at 4:30 p.m.; the hobby runners start at 5:30 p.m. and the main race begins at 6:45 p.m. Start and finish are at the Marktplatz in Rothenburg, the awards ceremony takes place at 8 p.m. For more information check Rothenburger Lichterlauf

Kneipenjagd Ansbach
Local pubs and restaurants are hosting another “Kneipenjagd” or “pub crawl” in Ansbach on Nov. 7; 20 bands play live in different locations in town. One ticket buys admission for all locations and live bands all night long; tickets bought in advance (Brückencenter or participating pubs) cost 11 euros, others are 13 euros. For details on participating locations and program, go to Kneipenjagd Ansbach

Culinary Wine Fair in Fürth
Fürth is hosting a culinary wine fair – Wein- und Delikatessenmesse – in the Stadthalle in Fürth (Rosenstraße 50) Nov. 7 and 8; about 100 vendors present their goods of wine, sparkling wine and spirits as well as international food specialties. Opening hours are Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; to learn more, go to www.weinmesse-fuerth.de

Basketball in Ansbach
The Ansbach Piranhas basketball team is playing against FC Bayern München 2 on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sporthalle (Gym) of the Theresiengymnasium (Schreibmüllerstraße 10, Ansbach). To learn more about the team, check out their Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/hapa-Ansbach-Piranhas-358049597617978/

Lights on at Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim
The Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim (Eisweiherweg 1) hosts an event taking visitors through the historical development of light sources and use in the country on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more, go to Fränkisches Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim

Martini-Jahrmarkt – Ansbach
Ansbach hosts a Martini market downtown on Nov. 8 through 12; Nov. 8 is also open shop Sunday from 1 – 6 p.m. The market is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on last day).

Open Shop Sunday and Lantern Parade in Ansbach
Ansbach’s downtown stores are open for business on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 1 through 6 p.m. The popular Martini lantern parade for kids of all ages starts at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Brücken-Center mall.

Martini-Jahrmarkt – Dinkelsbühl
The Dinkelsbühl Martini market takes place on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; shops are also open from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Martinimarkt – Neustadt a.d. Aisch
The Martini market of Neustadt-Aisch is scheduled for Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; stores will be open from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Martinimarkt – Bad Windsheim
The Bad Windsheim Martini market takes place on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; shops are also open from 1 – 5 p.m.

Fish and Wild Game Days in Feuchtwangen
The Fish and Game Days, a culinary week in Feuchtwangen until Nov. 9, bring regional and seasonal products fresh on the table at local restaurants. For a program, go to Fish und Wildtage Feuchtwangen

Second Hand Bazaars for Parents
Parents are cleaning out the closets of their ever-growing offspring and take it to numerous “Kinderbasars” or “Baby-Basars” happening in the area. Look for posters or flyers in your community advertising the bazaars for second hand clothing, toys and equipment; usually they take place on a Saturday afternoon in the local church annex, school or community center.

Last weekend for Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) closes after Nov. 8. Visitors can expect spectacular works of art created from 450 000 pumpkins and gourds, or admire more than 500 variations of the vegetable. Culinary delights like pumpkin soup, burgers or strudel can be tried on site. For more details, visit www.kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en or https://www.facebook.com/events/415907721882092/#!/kuerbisausstellung

Volksmarch Hiking Days
Volksmarches or “Internationale Wandertage” are a form of non-competitive physical fitness training, which takes the participants through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany. The walking distances varies from 5-, 10-, or 20-kilometer routes to 42-, 50- and event 60-kilometer routes on scenic trails through forests, along rivers and lakes or around historic sites. There is no set start time, but a window of time for hikers to start the route, and finish it at their own pace. Trails are typically marked well along the way. Many trails are stroller-friendly and provide great opportunity to explore the countryside. After the walk the local hiking clubs usually offer food and drink in a hall or tent, sometimes even at a half-way point. Avid hikers can get a hiking passport stamped each place they participate, and many clubs reward their visitors with a small token.

* Nov. 7: Fürth-Oberfürberg, guided marathon hike (42k) with „1st Nürnberger Volkslaufclub 1969 e.V.,“ 0911-698065. Start: 7 a.m. at Gaststätte Waldlust, Rennweg 68, 90768 Fürth. Please register prior to event. To learn more, visit Marathon Hike Fürth

* Nov. 7 and 8: Wachenroth (5, 10 k) with SV Wachenroth, 09548-1744 or 0176-35306591. Start: Sat. 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to noon at Ebrachtalhalle, Schulstraße, 96193 Wachenroth. To learn more, visit http://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/fr/2015/Wachenroth%20FR-M)%2007.%20u.%2008.11.2015.pdf (includes information in English)

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