Was ist los in Franken? Aug. 4, 2017

ANSBACH, Germany (Aug. 4, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

“Stau” in Germany (Photo: Bianca Sowders)

German School Break
Several “Bundesländer” (German states) and some countries north of Germany are on summer break, and many people are heading south in cars, buses, motor homes and trailers towards their vacation destinations. This often jams up the major thoroughfares, a situation which is amplified by seemingly endless construction projects. The summer break in Bavaria started July 29 and ends Sept. 11; the children in Baden-Württemberg start and 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 visit traffic information sites like Bayerninfo (in English), ADAC, Verkehrsinfo or Verkehrsinformation

Beer Week in Kulmbach
One of the larger beer fests takes place through Aug. 6 on Zentralparkplatz in Kulmbach. Program highlights include the opening parade of the beer brewers and the fan parade on Sunday at noon. To learn more about the fest, visit Bierwoche Kulmbach

Kirchweih in Eyb
Ansbach-Eyb is celebrating the annual traditional Kirchweih fest Aug. 4 through 7. The Kirchweih tree will be raised on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Another fest highlight is the parade Sunday at 2 p.m. with many local clubs and music groups; the parade starts in Industriestrasse, moving to Eyber Strasse and finally to the Dorfplatz. Fresh, traditional Kirchweihküchle, donut-type baked goodies, will be sold Saturday and Sunday morning.

Medieval Market in Ahorntal
Burg Rabenstein in Ahorntal is site of a medieval market Aug. 4 through 6; it offers visitors a chance to travel back in time with jostlers and jesters, field battles and show fights, bow and arrow tournaments, puppet theater for kids, historical groups besieging the castle, and old crafts revived; a fire show takes place after dark.  Opening hours are Friday noon – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.  To learn more, visit www.burg-rabenstein.de.

Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival
More than 70 bands perform during the Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival Aug. 4 through 13; international and reginal musicians perform free concerts on Maxplatz in downtown Bamberg. Admission is free! For detailed program and other information, visit Blues Jazz Festival

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, Aug. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guided tours take place every full hour. Visitors will be well taken care of with beverages and food. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. To learn more, visit Shelter

See in Flammen – Lake in flames
Illuminated sailboats and ferries will travel the Altmühlsee near Seezentrum Schlungenhof on Saturday, Aug. 12, starting at 7 p.m. during the event “Lake in Flames.” Members of the life guard will swim out with torches for a coordinated swim performance; fireworks at about 10 p.m. close the event. To learn more, visit www.gunzenhausen.info

Bierfest in Uffenheim
The “Bierfest der Aischgründer Bierstraße” on chlossplatz in Uffenheim features local breweries Aug. 11 and 12. While visitors can work their way through the many samples, bands are playing traditional music. The fest opens at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 5 p.m. on Saturday.  For more details, go to www.bierstrasse.de

Franconian Weinfest in Volkach
Volkach, located in the Frankenwein region, is hosting a wine festival Aug. 11 through 15; vineyards situated along the Main River are bringing more than 150 different samples of Franconian wine to the fest. Visitors sit under old chestnut trees to enjoy the local beverages and food delicacies. Different highlights include fireworks on Friday evening and the sparkler dance of the wine princesses on Monday. To learn more, visit Weinfest Volkach