Was ist los in Franken? March 9, 2018

ANSBACH, Germany (March 9, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Osterbrunnen
A few weeks before Easter many Franconian communities adorn their well or fountain with fresh spring greens and hand-painted colorful eggs. The origins of the “Osterbrunnen” tradition can be traced back to the Fränkische Schweiz (‘Franconian Switzerland’), a region located between the cities of Bamberg, Bayreuth and Forchheim, from where it spread to other areas. Tourists flock to the Fränkische Schweiz as participants of Osterbrunnen tours, hikers and bikers combine their outings with stops at different locations to admire the many little works of art. The tourist offices of the region offer different routes and locations for visitors. For a sample list of Osterbrunnen villages, go to Osterbrunnen Fränkische Schweiz.

Wine and Taste Festival
A Wine and Taste Festival takes place in the Meistersingerhalle Nürnberg (Münchener Str. 21) March 9 and 10. The event is featuring mini wine seminars, wine tastings and food. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/356230661515048/

Open house with Windsbach boys’ choir
The famous Windsbacher Knabenchor is hosting an open house at their boarding school (Heinrich-Brandt-Str. 18, 91575 Windsbach) Saturday, March 10 from 1 to 6 p.m. The school will show interested parents and students the facilities and perform for them. To learn more, visit Tag der offenen Tür .

Gospel concert in Grosshaslach
A spring gospel concert, hosted by Special Edition Gospel Choir and Lights of Gospel Choir under the lead of the U.S.-born choir conductor Roberta Collins, takes place at the St. Marien church in Grosshaslach (Kirchplatz 1) March 11 at 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/144508682996981/

El Macareno – Latin meets Flamenco
Guitar players El Macareno and Silvio Schneider perform Fiesta del ritmo at the Kammerspiele Ansbach (Maximilianstrasse 29) March 13 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit http://www.kammerspiele.com/stuecke/el-macareno-latin-meets-flamenco

Easter Market in Nürnberg
The traditional annual Ostermarkt takes place on Nürnberg’s Hauptmarkt March 16 through April 2. More than 80 vendors are offering household products, wood and ceramic crafts, curtains, clothes, books and much more. Opening hours are 10 a.m. – 7 p.m; closed Good Friday, March 30! To learn more, go to Ostermarkt.

Easter market Dinkelsbühl
The town of Dinkelsbühl is hosting an Easter market inside and in front of the Schranne (Weinmarkt 7) March 17 & 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.dinkelsbuehl.de

Lost and found auction – Ansbach
Things lost and found over the last year in Ansbach will be auctioned off Saturday, March 17 at the Onoldia in Ansbach (Nürnberger Str. 30).

Live Music Night in Schwabach
The annual “Schwabacher Kneipenfieber,“ a live music pub crawl, takes place in various locations March 17, starting at 8 p.m. 15 bands and musicians will play different musical styles, like Blues, Country, Pop, Swing or Funk in 15 locations. Tickets and more information are available at the Konzertbüro on Marktplatz, as well as all participating locations. To learn more, visit Kneipenfieber.

Blues Days in Roth
The 26th “Rother Bluestage” are taking place in the city of Roth March 17 through 25; international Blues musicians perform their music during different events and concerts at several locations. To learn more, visit www.bluestage.de

Weinturmlauf fun run Bad Windsheim
The annual Weinturmlauf, a fun run with distances of 2.2, 5.3, 10 or 21.1 kilometers, takes place March 18 in Bad Windsheim. Food and refreshments will be available at the finish and the runners center (Frankenland-Klinik). For more information and registration, visit www.weinturmlauf.org

 Hobby market in Bad Windsheim
Arts and crafts as well as other home-made products and decorations are for sale at the hobby market in Bad Windsheim March 18 at the KKC (Kur & Kongress-Center), right next to the Franken-Therme spa. Doors are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is 2 euros for visitors 12 years and older.

Ansbach Sing-along
People of all ages meet at the Kammerspiele Ansbach (Maximilianstrasse 29) for a sing-along March 22; musicians and a lead singer guide the participants through a repertoire of old and new songs, with lyrics projected to a wall. To learn more, visit http://www.kammerspiele.com/stuecke/9-ansbacher-rudelsingen

Spring Awakening – Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Many different events welcome the spring season in Rothenburg o.d. Tauber between March 24 and April 30. Easter fountains are decorated, restaurants serve special dishes and guided tours explain historical background. To learn more about the Rothenburg activities, go to www.tourismus.rothenburg.de

Food truck round-up in Schwabach
Food trucks of all denominations gather at the Marktplatz in Schwabach March 24 from noon to 7 p.m. to dish out their culinary delights. To learn more, visit Food trucks

Pub festival Dinkelsbühl
The annual pub festival of Dinkelsbühl with live music in several locations takes place March 24, starting at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit Kneipenfestival.

Frühlingsfest – Nürnberg
The annual spring fest, considered the largest of its kind in Northern Bavaria, is scheduled for March 31 through April 15 at the Dutzendteich in Nürnberg. Visitors find the latest fair rides, several beer tents, food galore and many special events. The official tapping of the first keg takes place March 31 at 5 p.m.; the Easter bunny will be there on the Easter weekend to pass out sweets to the kids. A special American evening April 5 celebrates the partnership of Nürnberg with Atlanta, GA. Wednesdays are family days with reduced prices between 1 and 9 p.m. Bulldog tractors meet on Sunday, April 8, and Thursday, April 16, is Ladies Night (after 2 p.m.) with half-priced rides for women. Saturday, April 14 features an old-timer car meeting and parade at 4 p.m.; final fireworks take place at 10:15 p.m. on April 15. For more details, map and opening hours go to www.volksfest-nuernberg.de

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.

Hiking with Outreach-KONTAKT Franken
Join the German-American friendship club for the Volksmarch in Ansbach Saturday, March 10; the group meets for a 5k group walk on site (Ansbach-Elpersdorf, Liebigstrasse 1, Autohaus parking lot) at 11 a.m. This is a fun family event, refreshments are available on the way and at the end, where the group enjoys a lunch together. Wear sturdy outdoor clothing and shoes/boots, dress according to temperature and precipitation. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. Make sure to tell them you are registering for Outreach-KONTAKT Franken, German-American club! To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1386164821529343

German-American Hiking Day in Ansbach
The annual German-American Volksmarch, hosted by the German-American Hiking Club Ansbach, takes place in Ansbach/Elpersdorf (Liebigstr. 1) the weekend of March 10 and 11. Distances to hike are 5, 10 and 20 k; starting times on both days are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., sign-up on site possible. Food and beverages will be available on site (Liebigstrasse 1, Autohaus parking lot). To learn more, go to  Volksmarch Ansbach-Elpersdorf.

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.