Was ist los in Franken? Feb. 19, 2016

The Easter Market in Nürnberg. (Photo courtesy of Tourismus Nürnberg)

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

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

Volksmarch and Half Marathon in Rothenburg
One of the first hiking events of the year in the area takes place in Rothenburg on Feb. 27 and 28. Distances to cover include 6, 11 and 21 k (half marathon), as well as an 11-k Altstadtwanderung (goes through old town) on Saturday only. Meeting point is the Sporthalle on Erlbacher Str. 5; starting times are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. for 6-, 11- and 21k distances, and noon to 4 p.m. for the 11k Altstadtwanderung on Saturday; on Sunday 6 and 11 k start from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the half-marathon starting time is 7 a.m. to noon. To learn more, email Wandern@rothenburg-wandern.de or go to Volksmarch Rothenburg

Space Truckers – Ansbach
The Space Truckers, a Deep Purple cover band, play at the Kammerspiele in Ansbach on Feb. 20, starting at 8:30 p.m. To learn more, visit Kammerevents

Mineral Days in Fürth
A sale exhibition for jewelry, gems, pearls, minerals and fossils takes place at the Stadthalle in Fürth (Rosenstr. 50) Feb. 20 and 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can have their gems identified at no cost, children can paint like Da Vinci, polish gems or take part in an archaeological dig. Admission for adults is 5 €, children from 6 to 11 years pay 2 €; family tickets are available. To learn more, visit Mineralienboersen

Volksmarch with the German-American Hiking Club of Ansbach
The German-American Hiking Club of Ansbach is looking for new members to join them. The club members meet every other Tuesday for a Stammtisch to discuss their next outings and every weekend for hikes in the area; occasionally they take the train together or hire a bus to get to a more distant location. The Stammtisch group meets again on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gaststätte Lehenshof (Uzstraße 19) downtown Ansbach (behind Greek restaurant).

Fabric Market in Bamberg
A large fabric market with more than 80 vendors takes place on Maximiliansplatz in Bamberg on Friday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wiletta Carson celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
Wiletta Carson, Jazz singer and Chicago native, and her band celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. in a concert in Nürnberg at Südpunkt (Pillenreuther Strasse 147) on Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit www.willettacarson.com

Easter Egg Market in Erlangen
Erlangen is hosting the International Easter Egg Market on Feb. 27 and 28 in the Redoutensaal on Theaterplatz/ Wasserturmstr. 16. About 40 artists and hobby painters present their oval works of art, displaying traditional techniques of egg decoration. Opening times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; to learn more, go to Ostereiermarkt

Bockbier Fest in Zirndorf
Zirndorf is celebrating a Bockbierfest with a selection of the strong brew and live music on Feb. 27 at the Paul-Metz-Halle (Volkhardtstr. 33), starting at 7 p.m. To learn more, visit www.zirndorf.de

Easter Market in Kammerstein
An Easter market takes place in the Sporthalle in Kammerstein on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit Landratsamt Roth

Terracotta Soldiers in Nürnberg
The exhibition “The Terracotta Army and the Legacy of the Eternal Emperor” can currently be seen in Nürnberg at the former AEG factory grounds in Muggenhofer Straße 135. The exhibition is open until March 3, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5 p.m.). To learn more, visit http://terrakottaarmee.de/

Second Hand Bazaars for Parents
Parents are cleaning out the closets of their ever-growing offspring and take it to numerous “Kinderbasars” or “Baby-Basars” happening in the area. Look for posters or flyers in your community advertising the bazaars for second hand clothing, toys and equipment; usually they take place on a Saturday afternoon in the local church annex, school or community center.

Wochenmarkt Ansbach
The Wochenmarkt Ansbach is a typical German market featuring fresh goods like vegetables, flowers, meats, home-made noodles or ice cream, fresh-baked bread, cheeses and other dairy products. The vendors are often farmers from the area, who sell their own products. They set up their carts and stands on Martin-Luther-Platz twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except German holidays).