Was ist los in Franken? April 6, 2018

ANSBACH, Germany (April 6, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Street food market in Ansbach
A street food market happens April 8 downtown from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hungry shoppers can sample pulled pork, burgers vegan dishes or Spanish paella, while the kids can enjoy face painting and a bouncy castle. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1932104136800053

Spring fest in Bad Windsheim
The Bad Windsheim spring fest is open until April 8 at Festplatz am Schießwasen (Am Schießwasen 2); for details contact the Bad Windsheim Tourist Office at Tel. 09841/402-0 or tourismus@bad-windsheim.de

Frühjahrslust in Anwanden
Gut Wolfgangshof in Anwanden is hosting a spring market called Frühjahrslust April 7 & 8. The market features items for outdoor activities, gardens and small animals. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission price is € 7. To learn more, visit www.fruehjahrslust.de

Spring Awakening – Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Many different events welcome the spring season in Rothenburg o.d. Tauber until 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

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

Osterbrunnen
Many Franconian communities adorn their well or fountain with fresh spring greens and hand-painted colorful eggs for Easter; a lot of them are still up for viewing. 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.

Mercato dei Sapori in Nürnberg
An Italian “market of flavors” – Mercato dei Sapori – takes place downtown Nürnberg at the Fleischbrücke (near Hauptmarkt) until April 21, offering Italian food and wine specialties. The market is closed on Sundays. To learn more, visit www.ariafresca.de

German holiday – May 1
May 1 is Tag der Arbeit, the German ‘Labor Day,’ and is a nationally observed holiday, which means that stores and businesses will remain closed and public transportation services will be reduced.  In larger cities demonstrations and parades organized by unions or political parties can be expected.

Mayday is also often enjoyed as a hiking day by locals; a little wagon is packed with supplies, food and drink, and walkers enjoy nature as it unfolds for the growing season. Drivers should be on the look-out for groups of people unexpectedly crossing country roads. To read more about May Day traditions, visit May Day in Germany.

Ansbach City Lauf – Running Fun in Ansbach
The annual Ansbach City-Lauf, a race for everybody with distances of 6.5 k, 10 k or half marathon, as well as different age groups, takes place downtown Ansbach Sunday, May 6. Start and finishing point is the Brücken-Center mall, but race tracks are spread out. Traffic will be rerouted for a large part of the day to accommodate the runners. To learn more, visit www.ansbacher-citylauf.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.

Volksmarch Hike in Langenzenn
A Wandertag with distances of 5, 10 and 20 km takes place April 7 & 8 in Langenzenn. Starting point is the Stadthalle Langenzenn (Pfaffenleite 16, 90579 Langenzenn); starting times 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit Wandertag Langenzenn to learn more.

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.