Was ist los in Franken? April 29, 2016

ANSBACH, Germany (April 29, 2016) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

Ansbach Spring Fest
The Frühlingsfest Ansbach starts April 29 with the official tapping of the first keg at 7 p.m. at the Festplatz (Nürnberger Strasse). Music, entertainment and rides will be offered daily until May 5. For more detailed information, visit Springfest Ansbach.

Jazz and Blues Open in Wendelstein
Wendelstein is hosting a Jazz and Blues festival April 29 through May 4 at several locations. To learn more details, visit Jazz Festival Wendelstein

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 on Sunday, May 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guided tours take place every full hour, tiger feeding time is 5 p.m. in the tiger house. 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

German holiday on May 1
May 1 is Tag der Arbeit, the German “‘Labor Day,’” and is a nationally observed holiday. This year May 1 falls on a Sunday and therefore does not affect services. In larger cities demonstrations and parades organized by unions or political parties can be expected. To learn more about customs and traditions on May Day in Germany, read German May Day

“Sommer in der City” – Beach feeling in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg city beach is open again on Insel Schütt (near Cinecitta movie theater), starting on May 4. Enjoy folding beach chairs, cocktails and music, palm trees and a pool bar from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, all the way to July 24. To learn more, go to Sommer in der City

Historical Fun Fair at Bad Windsheim Museum
A historical fair with a flee circus, a fortune teller, a fakir and a historical carousel takes place at the Fränkische Freilandmuseum in Bad Windsheim May 5 through 8. On Sunday the traditional Kirchweih tree will be put up at 1:30 p.m. To learn more, visit Museum Fair

German Holiday – Vatertag
May 5 marks a German holiday, Christi Himmelfahrt or Christ’s Ascension Day. As always, stores and businesses will remain closed. It is also the German Father’s Day, often celebrated with traditional outings of groups of men hiking the country side while pulling a hand-cart loaded with cold beverages. Germans like to take off the following Friday as a “Brückentag” (bridging day) and enjoy an extended weekend.

Blaue Nacht in Nürnberg
The “Blaue Nacht” (Blue Night) in Nürnberg takes place Saturday May 7 starting at 7 p.m. It is a night filled with special events, artistic displays and, of course, blue lights everywhere. Tickets can be purchased as single tickets or “five-friends” tickets; they also allow free use of public transportation within the VGN region (Ansbach included). For a detailed program and more information on how to use the ticket for transportation, check Blue Night

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. To learn more about Volksmarches in Germany, visit DVV Wandern.

Upcoming Volksmarch events in Franconia:

* April 30 and May 1 at Burk (near Dentlein): Distances are 5, 10, and 15 kilometers. The event starts at Turnhalle, Meierndorfer Straße 4, 91596 Burk, at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. For a look at the flier, visit Volksmarch Burk

* May 7 and 8 in Bamberg: Distances are 6 and 11 kilometers. The event starts at Graf-Staufenberg-Schule, Kloster-Langheim-Str. 11, 96050 Bamberg, at 7 a.m. to noon. To learn more, visit Volksmarch Bamberg