Was ist los in Franken? Nov. 3, 2017

ANSBACH, Germany (Nov. 3, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Fall Fair in Rothenburg
A “Herbstmesse” (fall fair) with a market and midway takes place on Schrannenplatz ongoing until Nov. 5. To learn more, visit  www.rothenburg.de or www.tourismus.rothenburg.de

Consumenta Nürnberg
The Consumenta, a large consumer’s fair, takes place at the Nürnberg Messezentrum, ongoing until Nov. 5; visitors can find lots of information about technology, real estate, cooking and baking, pets, horses, creative hobbies, new inventions, and much more. Opening hours are daily 9:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. To learn more, visit Consumenta.

Fish and Wild Game Days in Feuchtwangen
The Fish and Game Days, a culinary week in Feuchtwangen, ongoing through Nov. 5, bring regional and seasonal products fresh on the table at local restaurants. For more details, visit Fisch und Wild.

International Sled Dog Races
The International Sled Dog Races take place in Oberndorf/Geslau (near Rothenburg) on Nov. 3 through 5. Due to the lack of snow the dogs pull carts instead of sleds. To learn more, visit Schlittenhunde.

20 Jahre Kneipenjagd Ansbach
Local pubs and restaurants are hosting a “Kneipenjagd” (pub crawl) in Ansbach Nov. 4, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the event. Live bands play 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 www.facebook.com/KneipenJagdAnsbach

Culinary Wine Fair in Fürth
Fürth is hosting a culinary wine fair – Wein- und Delikatessenmesse – in the Stadthalle in Fürth (Rosenstraße 50) on Nov. 4 and 5; 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 Weinmesse.

Gran Fiesta Mexicana in Nürnberg
Celebrate el día de los muertos Mexican style with a mariachi band and dancing at the südpunkt (Pillenreuther Str. 147) Nov. 4, starting at 8 p.m. Admission tickets are 18 euros; costumes encouraged. To learn more, visit Fiesta.

Musical Moments – Musical show in Bad Windsheim
Musical hits from master pieces like Evita, Mamma Mia or Phantom of the Opera are celebrated in a three-hour show at the Kur- & Kongress-Center (Erkenbrechtallee 2) in Bad Windsheim Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit Musical Moments.

Rothenburger Lichterlauf
The Rothenburger Lichterlauf, a race in and around the torch-lit city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, takes place Nov. 4, starting at 3:30 p.m. with children’s races; the hobby runners start at 5:15 p.m.; the main race begins at 6:30 p.m. Start and finish are at the Marktplatz in Rothenburg, the awards ceremony takes place at 8:30 p.m. For more information check Lichterlauf.

Open House at the Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Ansbach
The mini zoo for rescued tigers and other exotic animals in Ansbach-Wallersdorf is hosting their monthly open house Sunday, Nov. 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guided tours take place every full hour. Visitors will be well taken care of with beverages and food. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/Raubtier-und-Exotenasyl-AnsbachWallersdorf-eV-281469090873

Martini-Jahrmarkt  Ansbach
Ansbach hosts a Martini market downtown on Nov. 5 through 9; Nov. 5 is also open shop Sunday from 1 – 6 p.m. The market is open daily during the week 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (closes at 4 p.m. on last day).

St. Martin’s parade and open-shop Sunday – Ansbach
Ansbach is hosting a St. Martin’s parade Sunday, Nov. 5 through the old city. Starting point for children to assemble is the plaza in front of the Brücken-Center mall at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 is also open-shop Sunday from 1 – 6 p.m.

Martin’s Day – A German tradition
Martinstag or Martini 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 Nov. 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 Martin’s Day.
For Carnival fans the day also marks the beginning of the Fasching season, starting exactly at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

 Martini Markt Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim is hosting a Martini market Nov. 11 downtown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lantern parade in Bad Windsheim
A lantern parade for children and parents takes place Nov. 11 in Bad Windsheim; starting point is the parking lot of the open air museum at 5 p.m., ending up at Marktplatz.  After a St. Martin play a large bonfire and music close out the evening.

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 Nov. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. To learn more, go to Freilandmuseum.

Beyond the Franconian borders …

Last chance for Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is open until Nov. 5. Visitors can expect spectacular works of art created from 450 000 pumpkins and gourds, or admire more than 500 variations of the vegetable; this year’s overarching theme is “Rome.” Culinary delights like pumpkin soup, burgers or strudel can be tried on site. For more details, visit Kürbisausstellung-English or www.facebook.com/kuerbisausstellung.

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.