Was ist los in Franken? Sept. 1, 2017

ANSBACH, Germany (Sept. 1, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Imperial Days in Rothenburg (Photos: Rothenburg Tourismus)

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, happening  from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, is located on the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse). Details are available at Volksfest

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

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, Sept. 3 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 Raubtier- und Exotenasyl

“Onion Stomper“ fest in Bamberg
The annual Zwiebeltreterfest on the Böhmerwiese (Heiliggrabstraße 57) takes place Sept. 7 through 9; music and culinary specialties entertain the adults, while the kids can spend time with arts and crafts or enjoy the bouncy castle. In case of inclement weather the fest is moved to a tent. Admission is free; to learn more go to Zwiebeltreterfest .

Flea Market in Nürnberg
Germany’s largest flea market, the Trempelmarkt in Nürnberg takes place twice a year; this fall it will take place on Sept. 8 and 9; more than 4000 vendors are offering their junk and treasures on and around the Hauptmarkt on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Taking public transportation is recommended, since parking will be very limited. To learn more, go to Trempelmarkt

Burggrabenfest zu Nürnberg
The Burggrabenfest in Nürnberg is a medieval fest for the whole family, taking place Sept. 8 through 10 in the city moat below the castle (Hallertor). Show fights, medieval camp life and fire spectacles bring the middle ages back to life. Young knights can spend their energy on a knight’s playground, try their talent with balancing on a rope or compete with bow and arrow.

Opening hours are Friday 2 – 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free under three years of age, 3 euros at age 4 – 12 and 6 euros for 13 years and above; family tickets for two adults and two children are 6 euros. For more information go to Burggrabenfest

Day of the Open Monument
Once a year visitors can enter sites that are normally not open to the public; Germany-wide communities host the “Tag des offenen Denkmals” as part of the European Heritage Days on the second Sunday in September every year. Ansbach lets people get a glimpse of the inside of Herrieden Tor, the church towers of St. Ludwig and St. Johannis or the Synagogue, just to mention a few.  This year the event takes place Sept. 10; to learn more, visit https://www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de/

Altstadtfest – Nürnberg
The traditional Altstadtfest downtown Nürnberg, scheduled for Sept. 14 through 25, is one of the most popular highlights in the Franconian event calendar. The Hans-Sachs-Platz and Insel Schütt turn into fest grounds with wooden huts that offer local culinary specialties; the entertainment program includes cultural and traditional events, like the Fischerstechen, an event that includes boats on the river and people with long poles pushing each other off these boats. Program details and other information can be found at www.altstadtfest-nue.de

Fall Market in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg “Herbstmarkt” takes place on the main market place (Hauptmarkt) downtown Sept. 14 through Oct. 1; vendors sell household goods, pottery, clothes and arts and crafts. Opening hours are daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit Trempelmarkt

Grafflmarkt – Fürth
The Grafflmarkt in Fürth, a large flea market downtown, takes place on Sept.15 and 16 between Gustavstrasse, Grüner Markt and Paisleyplatz. Opening times are Friday 4 – 10 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Oktoberfest in Munich
The Oktoberfest in Munich – the original Oktoberfest – is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world’s largest fair with more than 6 million people from around the world attending every year. It started out as a royal wedding celebration in October 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen; the fields, where the celebration took place, were named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in honor of the crown princess.

The Oktoberfest, also known as the “Wies’n,” takes place on Munich’s Theresienwiese Sept. 16 to Oct. 3. The midway is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (30 minutes longer on the weekends); the beer tents have the same opening hours, but the last beer will be served an hour before closure.

Highlights: Highlights of the Oktoberfest – besides the numerous rides, attractions and tents – include the opening parade of the Wiesn-Wirte (tent owners) Sept. 16 at 11 a.m., the traditional garb and master shooters parade (Trachten- und Schützenzug) Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. or the traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument at noon Oct. 3.

Official family days with reduced prices are Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. Since there is no parking anywhere close to the location, visitors are encouraged to come to town by train or take advantage of the park & ride system and leave their vehicle at a public transportation stop outside of the city, using the subway (U-Bahn) to get there.

Security concept: The security concept of the Oktoberfest is based on decades of experience and constantly reviewed. New this year will be a “security fence” along open stretches as well as a ban of back packs and larger bags; smaller bags are subject to search. Strollers are only allowed on weekdays until 6 p.m.; completely forbidden are items like glass bottles, gas spry cans or knives. On the busier days, like the weekends, visitors are advised to refrain from bringing small children.

For more information about the Oktoberfest go to www.oktoberfest.de/en

Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is open now 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

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 Kitzingen
A hiking day takes place in Kitzingen Sept. 9 and 10 with distances of 6, 10 and 20 kilometers to choose from. Start times are 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Sportzentrum Sickergrund (Sickerhäuser Straße 7, 97318 Kitzingen)

Wandertag in Oberasbach near Nürnberg
The Oberasbach hiking days Sept. 16 and 17 take hikers over 6, 10, 20 or 42 km distances. Start times are Saturday 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (6, 10, 20 km) and 6:30 – 9 a.m. (42 km), and Sunday 6:30 a.m. to noon (6, 10, 20 km) und 6:30 – 9 a.m. (42 km), with start and finish at DJK Halle (St. Johannes Straße 6, 90522 Oberasbach)

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.