Was ist los in Franken? Aug. 19, 2016

ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 19, 2016) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Middle, Lower and Upper Franconia.

Weindorf Rothenburg (Photo: Rothenburg Tourism Office)

Summer Breeze – Open Air in Dinkelsbühl
The annual Summer Breeze Open Air 2016 on Aug 17 – 20 in Dinkelsbühl is one of the largest heavy metal festivals in Germany. Two open air stages and a third stage inside a large tent feature many live metal bands; the festival is located on the airport of the Aeroclub Dinkelsbühl on Flugplatzstrasse 1. To learn more, go to Summer Breeze

Rothenburg Wine Village
The Grüne Markt and the Kirchplatz in Rothenburg o.d.T. will be turned into a wine village on Aug. 17 – 21; Franconian wines can be sampled while nibbling on local culinary specialties and listening to the musical entertainment. The Weindorf is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 – 11 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information contact the Rothenburg Tourist Service on Marktplatz 2 at 09861 – 404 – 800 or Tourist Office Rothenburg

Kirchweih in Wolframs-Eschenbach
The traditional Kirchweih of Wolframs-Eschenbach takes place on the Festplatz (Dr.-Baptist-Kurz-Platz) on Aug. 19 through 22, featuring the typical fest entertainment, a Kirchweih market and fireworks. For program details, visit Kirchweih Wolframs-Eschenbach.

Bad Windsheimer Kirchweih
The Bad Windsheim Kirchweih on Aug. 19 through 30 is a traditional Kirchweih Volksfest with rides, fest tent, parade and fireworks. To learn more, go to Bad Windsheim Tourist Office

Miniature Golf Time
The Brücken-Center Ansbach offers free miniature golf until Aug. 27. Clubs and balls can be borrowed for a deposit; open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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 from August 28 to September 11 is located on the Dutzendteich (Bayernstrasse). Details are available at Volksfest Nürnberg

Reichsstadt-Festtage – Rothenburg
The Reichsstadt-Festtage or Imperial Days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber on Sept. 2 through 4 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 Meistertrunk

Bards Meet in Ansbach
Ansbach’s Bardentreffen with German singers, bands and songwriters takes place Sept. 3 and 4 downtown in various locations, including the Reitbahn and Gumbertusplatz. Admission is free, concerts start at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Kinderzoo in Dürrwangen
TheKinderzoo with circus animals recently opened in Dürrwangen-Haslach (Kreuzfeld 21). The animals – ponies, donkeys, horses, goats, camels and more – are usually touring the region with a small circus ensemble, but are staying on the farm for the summer. Contrary to normal zoo animals, these are kept entertained and challenged with games and training to avoid boredom. The zoo offers rides on elephants and ponies, carriage rides through the forest, a kiddie train, a water basin with row boats and an outdoor playground. It is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during German school summer break (July 30-Sept. 4) and on the weekend until Sept. 4. To learn more, visit Kinderzoo  

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.

* August 20 and 21 in Crailsheim:  Distances are 5, 11, 20, 21, 30 and 42 kilometers; start is at Hirtenwiesenhalle (Bürgermeister-Demuth-Allee 2, 74564 Crailsheim) on both days at 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 11 km), 5:30 a.m. to noon (21 km), 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. (30 km) and 5:30 to 9 a.m. (42 km). To learn more, visit Volksmarch Crailsheim

* August 27 and 28 in Creglingen: Wandertag distances are 5, 10 and 20 km; start at 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for 5 and 10 km and 6 a.m. to noon for 20 km on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km) on Sunday at Mehrzweckhalle (Kieselallee, 97993 Creglingen). For more information visit Volksmarch Creglingen

German School Break – Traffic Peaks
The summer break in Bavaria started on July 30 and ends on September 12; the children in Baden-Wuerttemberg will finish two days earlier. Expect heavy traffic and long traffic jams, especially on the Autobahns going south and coming back during that time. For current traffic updates go to Bayerninfo (in English), ADAC Travel, Verkehrsinfo or Verkehrsinformation

Refrain from Carrying Backpacks
In light of recent events throughout Europe, visitors may be prohibited from bringing backpacks or larger bags to public events; if allowed, the bags may be subject to search. To avoid inconvenience it is recommended to carry only what’s really necessary and leave larger carrying items behind.