Was ist los in Franken? Feb. 8, 2019

ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 8, 2019) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Nürnberg Fasching parade
The Nürnberg Fasching parade, the oldest of its kind in the world, leads 49 decorated wagons and more than 3000 participants through the city on Sunday, Feb. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. The route takes the parade from Am Stadtpark to Pirckheimerstrasse, Bayreuther Strasse, Rathenauplatz, Laufer Tor, Innere Laufer Gasse, Theresienplatz, Obstmarkt, Museumsbrücke, Königstrasse,  Kaiserstrasse, Josephsplatz  and finally Vordere Ledergasse. The best strategy to watch the parade is to pick a spot along the route and wait for the fun to come to you. For more details, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/962431477167389/ or www.fnf-nbg.de.

Sing-along in Ansbach
“Rudelsingen,“ a karaoke sing-along with German and English songs takes place at the Ansbach Kammerspiele (Maximilianstr. 29) Feb. 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/597224530737202.

Fasching parade in Wolframs-Eschenbach
A carnival parade takes place in Wolframs-Eschenbach Feb. 24, starting at Steingrubenweg towards the downtown area at 2 p.m. A party follows at a local restaurant.

Chinesenfasching in Dietfurt
The traditional Chinese Fasching in Dietfurt is a popular event in the region. It always takes place on ‘crazy’ Thursday, which falls on Feb. 28 this year. The town criers, called “Maschkaras,” wake up the town at 2 a.m. with lots of noise. The party downtown on the stage in front of the Rathaus (city hall) starts at 1 p.m.; at 2 p.m. the parade begins to move from Industriestrasse through town towards the town center, where the annual proclamation of the emperor is held. For more details check out www.dietfurt.de/chinesenfasching or https://www.facebook.com/events/188446791514733.

Fasching parade and party in Spalt
The town of Spalt is hosting a Fasching parade and party on crazy Thursday, Feb. 28, starting at 8:20 p.m.  Party goers have an opportunity to hop on a shuttle bus at several locations (see Facebook post), and ride the bus back in the wee hours of the morning (pre-registration required!) ; bus ride and admission price can be paid cash on the bus.  Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1018647158215872.

Fasching parade in Ornbau
A traditional Fasching parade takes place in Ornbau on March 3 starting at 1 p.m. at “Am Kalkofen” and moving through town to the Stadthalle. More than 30 decorated wagons and music groups are participating in the event. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1553105925000495.

Fasching Parade in Mitteleschenbach
Considered the largest of its kind in West Middle Franconia, the town’s Fasching parade takes place on Sunday, March 3 in Mitteleschenbach, starting at 2 p.m. Many groups with decorated wagons, marching groups and bands are expected in this traditional event. To learn more, visit  https://www.facebook.com/events/1568285493494483/ or go to www.diemoenchswaldfuechse.de.

Fasching at the Zoo
The Nürnberg Tiergarten celebrates Fasching March 4 & 5 during normal opening hours. Every child (up to 13 years) dressed up enters for free. Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/543048122860746/ or go to www.tiergarten.nuernberg.de.

Rosenmontag Kinderfasching and parade in Ansbach
Ansbach’s youth participates in a parade on Rosenmontag, March 4, through the old part of town. Children in costumes who would like to tag along assemble at 2:15 p.m. at the Martin-Luther-Platz. A percussion group leads the kids through town, ending up at the Onoldiasaal (Nürnberger Str. 32) around 3 p.m., where a party with music, clowns, magicians, face painting, games and much more takes place (ending at 6 p.m.).

Rosenmontag party in Ansbach
A Fasching party takes place on Rosenmontag, March 4 at the Kammerspiele Ansbach (Maximilianstraße 29), starting at 9 p.m. To learn more, go to  www.kammerspiele.com

Fasching, Fastnacht & Karneval – The fifth season is here
The Fasching or carnival season is also known as the “fifth season” in Germany. It is a time when Germans loosen up a little, dress up in funny costumes and party for days at a time. Read more about local carnival traditions at https://ansbachhometownherald.com/fasching-fastnacht-karneval-fifth-season-upon-us/.

German-American Hiking Day in Ansbach
The annual German-American Volksmarch, hosted by the German-American Hiking Club Ansbach, takes place in Ansbach/Elpersdorf (Liebigstr. 1) the weekend of March 9 and 10. Distances to hike are 5, 10 and 20 k; starting times on both days are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., sign-up on site possible. Food and beverages will be available on site (Liebigstrasse 1, Autohaus parking lot). To learn more, go to https://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/fr/2019/Ansbach09012019.pdf

Music Night Herrieden
The “Musiknacht Herrieden,“ the annual Herrieden pub crawl, takes place Saturday, March 23. Six locations in Herrieden feature live music, starting at 8 p.m. One ticket buys admission for the whole night. Locations include Zum Bergwirt, Limbacher, Sportheim, Zur Sonne, Enzo, and Cafe Linde. Tickets for 11 euros can be purchased in all participating locations before the event, or for 13 euros at the door. A shuttle bus transports party-goers between Marktplatz and Bergwirt between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/669970213400161/ or   https://www.facebook.com/events/742336849460353/

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).

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 this time of the year. Look for posters or flyers 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.

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 find local hikes, visit https://www.dvv-wandern.de/regionales-angebot/franken.html.

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.