Was ist los in Franken? Aug. 18, 2017

Fall fest in Nürnberg (Photo: nuernberg.de)

ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 18, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Rothenburg Wine Village
The Grüne Markt and the Kirchplatz in Rothenburg o.d.T. will be turned into a wine village Aug. 16 – 20; Franconian wines can be sampled while nibbling on local culinary specialties and listening to the musical entertainment. The Weindorf is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 – 11 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information contact the Rothenburg Tourist Service on Marktplatz 2 at 09861 – 404 – 800 or visit Weindorf Rothenburg

Kirchweih Markt Erlbach
The Kirchweih fest of Markt Erlbach takes place Aug. 18 through 22 at the Festplatz. The opening ceremony Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. includes a concert at the Kirchplatz and a parade to the fest grounds. A special highlight is the traditional “Bärentreiben” (‘driving the bear’). Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. two men – one is the “bear” and one the “beater” – who are covered in soot from top to bottom, walk through the crowd on Hauptstrasse. In the process they try to touch members of the audience and get them sooty and grimy as well, resulting in much laughter and hilarity from the onlookers. To learn more, visit Feste und Märkte Markt Erlbach

Kirchweih Sachsen
Sachsen bei Ansbach is celebrating Kirchweih this weekend, Aug. 17 through 21, with traditional fest fares and activities in local restaurants. The fest tree will be raised Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Haus zur Bäuerin, followed by the official tapping of the first keg of beer. To learn more, visit Kirchweih Programm

Kirchweih in Wolframs-Eschenbach
The traditional Kirchweih of Wolframs-Eschenbach takes place on the Festplatz (Dr.-Baptist-Kurz-Platz) Aug. 18 through 21, featuring the typical fest entertainment, a Kirchweih market and fireworks. For program details, visit Kirchweih Wolframs-Eschenbach

Bamberg bounces!
A bouncy house festival takes place on Bamberg’s Jahnwiese (Galgenfuhr) now through Aug. 27. The fenced in area offers a variety of modules and bouncing opportunities for the children to explore; a café garden provides refreshments.

Kirchweih – Bad Windsheim
The Bad Windsheim Kirchweih takes place at the Festplatz on Schiesswasen Aug. 18 through 29; a large fireworks display closes out the fest on Tuesday at about 10 p.m.

Herbstvolksfest – Nürnberg
The Nürnberg Fall Fest is one of the largest and nicest fests in Bavaria; visitors will find plenty of fun rides, beer tents and food stands, as well as an entertainment program for everybody. The fest from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 is located on the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse). Details are available at Volksfest

Altmühlsee Festival
The annual Altmühlsee festival Aug. 26 features seven live bands spread around the lake; locations are Seezentrum Schlungenhof, Surfzentrum Schlungenhof, Seezentrum Muhr am See, Seezentrum Wald, ZanZiBar at the adventure playground and in Mörsach und Gern. A free shuttle takes visitors around; the MS Altmühlsee serves as a shuttle boat that night. To learn more, visit Altmühlsee Festival

 “Dinkelsbühl leuchtet“ – Dinkelsbühl alight
All of downtown Dinkelsbühl is open for shopping until 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Live bands play on several stages in the evening, after 6:30 p.m. To learn more, visit www.dinkelsbuehl.de

Reichsstadt-Festtage – Rothenburg
The Reichsstadt-Festtage or Imperial Days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber Sept. 1 through 3 celebrate the history of the old Imperial city. Every century is represented with its unique clothing and stories. The festival includes many different events and performances; highlights are the Meistertrunk, the historical Shepherd’s Dance, a torch parade of participants and fireworks. To learn more, go to Reichsstadt-Festtage

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 distance varies from 5 to 10 or 20 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.

Wandertag in Crailsheim
The Crailsheim hiking days take place Aug. 19 and 20 with distances of 5, 10, 21, 30 and 42 kilometers. Start times are 5:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (5, 10 km), 5:30 a.m. to noon (21 km), 5:30 – 11 a.m. (30 km) and 5:30 – 9 a.m. at Hirtenwiesenhalle (Bürgermeister-Demuth-Allee 2, 74564 Crailsheim).

Wandertag in Creglingen
Hiking days are scheduled for Aug. 26 and 27 in Creglingen with special focus on children. Walk distances of 5, 10 or 20 kilometers, starting at Stadthalle (Kieselallee 15, 97993 Creglingen). Start times are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km).

The information on local host nation events is provided through the auspices of the USAG Ansbach Public Affairs Office (PAO). All details provided are for informational purposes only and are a representation of typical events conducted in the local community. The PAO grants no element of exclusivity to any outside agency or business and any reference to commercial or retail activities implies no endorsement or recommendation by the U. S. Army or its agencies. Participation in any event or activity described herein is strictly voluntary and should be done so only after careful advisement and consideration of the safety and security environment at each specific location.