Was ist los in Franken? July 27, 2018

ANSBACH, Germany (July 27, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Jazz in the Garden – Nürnberg
The NC Brown Blues Band plays in the KulturGarten in Nürnberg July 23 from 5 to 11 p.m. Located on Königstrasse 93, visitors enter from the wall side near the Bauhof. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2098185560436645

Bardentreffen in Nürnberg
The popular annual Nürnberg Bardentreffen is a “bards‘ meet“ for singers and songwriters with a four-decade-old tradition. More than 200 000 visitors attend the outdoor festival every year, to listen to artists and bands from all over the world. It takes place in various locations, like the Hauptmarkt, Insel Schütt, St. Katharina, Lorenzer Platz, Sebalder Platz, Kreuzigungshof and Trödelmarkt on July 27 through 29; the musical spectrum ranges from Classic Rock to Pop and Jazz and Avant Garde or Cabaret type performances. Admission is free! To learn more go to www.bardentreffen.de

See in Flammen – Lake in flames
Illuminated sailboats and ferries will travel the Altmühlsee near Seezentrum Schlungenhof on Saturday, July 28, 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 https://www.facebook.com/events/1640641329584799/

German School Break
Several “Bundesländer” (German states) and some countries north of Germany are already 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 starts July 28 and ends September 10; the children in Baden-Württemberg, our neighbor state, 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 www.bayerninfo.de  (in English), www.adac.de/reise_freizeit/verkehr , www.verkehrsinfo.de  or www.verkehrsinformation.de

Kirchweih in Eyb
Ansbach-Eyb is celebrating the annual traditional Kirchweih fest Aug. 2 through 6. 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.

Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival
More than 70 bands perform during the Bamberg Blues and Jazz Festival Aug. 3 through 12; international and reginal musicians perform free concerts on Maxplatz in downtown Bamberg. Admission is free! For detailed program and other information, visit http://blues-jazz-festival.mybamberg.de/home

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. 5 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 https://www.facebook.com/Raubtier-und-Exotenasyl-AnsbachWallersdorf-eV-281469090873

Franconian Weinfest in Volkach
Volkach, located in the Frankenwein region, is hosting a wine festival Aug. 10 through 14; 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 https://www.facebook.com/WFVolkach

Summer Breeze – Open Air in Dinkelsbühl
The annual Summer Breeze Open Air 2017, taking place Aug. 15 – 18 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 Aeroclubs Dinkelsbühl on Flugplatzstrasse 1. To learn more, go to http://www.summer-breeze.de/en

Rothenburg Wine Village
The Grüne Markt and the Kirchplatz in Rothenburg o.d.T. will be turned into a wine village Aug. 15 – 19; 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 visit https://www.rothenburg.de/tourismus/kunst-kultur/jahreshoehepunkte/weindorf

Kirchweih in Wolframs-Eschenbach
The traditional Kirchweih of Wolframs-Eschenbach takes place on the Festplatz (Dr.-Baptist-Kurz-Platz) Aug. 17 through 20, featuring the typical fest entertainment, a Kirchweih market and fireworks. For program details, visit www.kirchweih-wolframs-eschenbach.de

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 announcements on hiking days all over Germany, visit DVV Wandern.

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.