Was ist los in Franken? July 31, 2015

Historic U.S. cars meet in the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim in the outdoor section of the museum. (Photo courtesy of Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim)

ANSBACH, Germany (July 31, 2015) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

40th Anniversary of Bardentreffen – World Music Festival in Nürnberg
The popular annual Nürnberg Bardentreffen, a “bards’ meet” for singers and songwriters celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with an extended schedule. More than 200 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 30 through Aug. 2; 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.

Kirchweih in Eyb
Eyb, a part of Ansbach, is celebrating their annual Kirchweih fest on July 31 through August 3. The Kirchweih tree will be raised on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Another fest highlight is the parade on 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 on Saturday and Sunday morning. The stores in Eyb will be open to shoppers on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Bachwoche in Ansbach
The International Bach Week in Ansbach, hosted July 31 through August 9, 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 through the website at www.bachwoche.de.

Medieval Market on Burg Rabenstein – Ahorntal
The annual medieval market on the Rabenstein Castle in Ahorntal on July 31 through August 2 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. Admission for adults is 7.50 euros, for children 4 euros; a family ticket for 20 euros is also available. Children shorter than one sword length (1 meter) enter for free. To learn more, visit www.burg-rabenstein.de.

Traffic Jams and German School Break
As several German states are already on summer break, or just starting, the metropolitan region of Nürnberg is expected to be jammed with “staus,” especially on A3 near Erlangen, and on A6 between Nürnberg and Schwabach. Heavy traffic is expected in both directions, as many travelers are already returning from vacation.
The summer break in Bavaria starts on Aug 1 and ends on September 14; 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 www.bayerninfo.de (in English), www.adac.de/reise_freizeit/verkehr, www.verkehrsinfo.de or www.verkehrsinformation.de.

See in Flammen — Lake in Flames
Illuminated sailboats and ferries will travel the Altmühlsee near Seezentrum Schlungenhof on Saturday, Aug. 1, 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 10:45 p.m. closes the event. To learn more, visit www.gunzenhausen.info.

Franconian Brewery Fest – Reichelshofen
The entertainment program of the Franconian Brewery Fest in Reichelshofen (Reichelshofen 31, 91628 Steinsfeld) on Aug. 1 and 2 features several different musical groups, beer tasting, Franconian specialties served in the brewery gardens and much more. To learn more, visit www.landwehr-braeu.de.

US Car Meet in Sinsheim
Historic U.S. cars meet in the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim on August 2; no matter if cruisers, pick-up trucks or SUV, all are welcome. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the outdoor area of the museum; admission is free outdoors, regular admission fees apply for the indoor section of the museum. To learn more, go to http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/de/us-car-treffen or www.facebook.com/technikmuseum.

Schlossgartenkonzert: Willetta Carson & Band – Erlangen
Chicago born Willetta Carson and her band play “More than Jazz — Swing & Soul, Blues & Gospel” in the castle gardens of Erlangen (Schloß und Schloßgarten, Schloßplatz) on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m. In case of rain the concert will be moved; to find out the location, call the hotline at 09131-86-1417 (after 9 a.m. on Sunday). Admission is free!

Radltour and Live Bands
The BR Radltour, an annual bicycle event with hundreds of participants is organized every summer by a Bavarian radio station. Every night the tour stops in a different location, where participants and visitors celebrate together with live bands and food and drink. Two of the stops are close to Ansbach; on Aug. 5 the cyclists will overnight in Heilsbronn, on Aug. 6 in Höchstadt a.d. Aisch. They are expected to “ride into town” at about 4 p.m. with the party following soon after. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/BRRadltour or go to http://www.br.de/unternehmen/inhalt/veranstaltungen/br-radltour/br-radltour-170.html.

Klassik Open Air: Family Concert in Nürnberg
For many years the classic open air concerts at the Luitpoldhain in Nürnberg have been an event where family and friends get together to sit and enjoy music and a picnic “al fresco.” The second concert takes place August 8 at 8 p.m. The event is free and especially intended for people who might not normally listen to classical music. As there are about 100.000 people attending this event, it is definitely recommended to use public transportation. The orchestra, the Nürnberger Symphoniker will play in (almost) any weather, unless there is a storm or other very inclement weather. To learn more go to www.klassikopenair.de.

Adventures and Admission for a Discount
The “Entdeckerpass” – discovery passport – for the larger Nürnberg region offers many discounts and good deals on access for a multitude of adventures and places. The passport is valid for the rest of the calendar year in the area between Weißenburg, Hof, Kitzingen and Weiden. It can be ordered at www.enteckerpass.com (3.50 euros S&H). A 20% discount is applied during Bavarian summer vacation time (until Sept 13), if three or more passes are ordered at once. To learn more, go to www.entdeckerpass.com or https://www.facebook.com/EntdeckerPass.

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.

* Aug. 1 and 2: Oberdachstetten, 6, 10, 20 km with Wanderfreunde Oberdachstetten 1987 e.V., 09845-987420, ch-moll@web.de. Start: 6 a.m. — 1 p.m. at Rezattalhalle, Schulstraße 5, 91617 Oberdachstetten. To learn more, visit http://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/fr/2015/Oberdachstetten01.08u.02.08.2015.pdf
(Includes information in English).

* Aug. 15 and16: Crailsheim, 6, 11, 20, 30 or 42 km with Wanderfreunde Crailsheim e.V., 07951-5595. Start: Sat. 5:30 a.m. — 2 p.m. (6, 11, 20 km), 5:30 — 11 a.m. (30 km) and 5:30 — 9 a.m. (42 km); Sun. 5:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. (6, 11, 20 km) 5:30 — 11 a.m. (30 km) and 5:30 — 9 a.m. (42 km) at Hirtenwiesenhalle, Bürgermeister-Demuth-Allee, 74564 Crailsheim. To learn more, visit http://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/bw/2015/w_august_crailsheim.pdf.

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).