Was ist los in Franken? July 28, 2017

ANSBACH, Germany (July 28, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Bardentreffen in Nürnberg (Photo: Berny Meyer)

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 28 through 30; 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

Kanapee Stree in Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim is hosting a culture and shopping night July 28, starting at 6 p.m.; blow-up sofas in front of stores and restaurants give the event the name, as Kanapee is an old word for sofa in German.

Bachwoche in Ansbach
The International Bach Week in Ansbach, scheduled July 28 through August 6, brings international musicians and well-known ensembles performing music by Johann Sebastian Bach.  A detailed program and concert tickets are available at the Tourist Office inside the Stadthaus (Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Platz 1, 0981/ 51-243, akut@ansbach.de) or on the website at www.bachwoche.de.

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 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 July 29 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

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 hiking in Germany, visit DVV Wandern.

Volksmarch in Oberdachstetten
A volksmarch hiking day takes place August 5 and 6 in Oberdachstetten. Start hiking for 6, 10 or 20 kilometers at Rezattalhalle (Schulstraße 5, 91617 Oberdachstetten); start times are 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 6 and 10 km, 6 a.m. to noon for 20 km distance.