Was ist los in Franken? Aug. 26, 2016

ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 26, 2016) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Middle, Lower and Upper Franconia.

Reichstadtfesttage – Imperial Days in Rothenburg (Photo: Rothenburg Tourism)

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

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.

KONTAKTA – Ansbach
The biennial expo KONTAKTA takes place at the Festplatz Hofwiese (Nürnberger Strasse) on Sept. 7 – 11; the expo features special exhibit about topics like construction, energy efficiency, health, mobility or sports; special entertainment is provide for the kids. Opening hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. To learn more, go to Kontakta

“Onion Stomper“ Fest in Bamberg
The annual Zwiebeltreterfest on the Böhmerwiese (Heiliggrabstraße 57) takes place Sept. 8 through 11; 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. 9 and 10; 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

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 on September 11; to find out more about Ansbach offerings, visit Tag des Denkmals in Ansbach For more information about the program and other communities, visit Tag des offenen Denkmals.  A detailed program for the Ansbach county can be found at Denkmaltag Ansbach County.

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.

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

* September 3 and 4 in Leinburg: Wandertag with distances of 5, 10, 20 and 30 kilometers. Start is 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. (5, 10 km), 7 a.m. – noon (20 km) and 7 – 10 a.m. (30 km) at Schützenhaus (Nürnberger Straße 47, 91227 Leinburg). To learn more, visit Volksmarch Leinburg

* September 10 and 11 in Kitzingen: Distances are 6, 10 and 20 kilometer; start time is 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days. Starting point is Sportzentrum Sickergrund on Sickershäuser Str. 7, 97318 Kitzingen.