Was ist los in Franken? June 1, 2018

Tigers at the Raubtier & Exotenasyl (Photo credit Raubtier & Exotenasyl Wallersdorf)

ANSBACH, Germany (June 1, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

Pfingstferien – School break in Bavaria
German children are on school break until June 3; this is a popular vacation time and many travelers can be expected to flood the airports and Autobahns. Heavy car traveling days are expected especially for the weekends, and May 31 and June 1, as Thursday is a German holiday and people use the long weekend for quick trips.

Lake Festival on Altmühlsee – Gunzenhausen
The Seezentrum Schlungenhof at the Altmühlsee near Gunzenhausen is celebrating a lake fest at the Bootshaus May 26 & 27 with local food, entertainment for young and old, and live music. The fest starts at 11 a.m. Admission is free; to learn more, go to www.altmuehlsee.de

Altstadtfest Ansbach
Ansbach’s downtown area turns into festival grounds for the popular Altstadtfest May 30 through June 3; tables and benches are set-up along the streets, live bands play, many different kinds of food and beverages are offered, and children have their own entertainment. For program details check http://citymarketing-ansbach.de/veranstaltungen/altstadtfest  or https://www.facebook.com/events/1976619135923984

Fränkisches Bierfest – Nürnberg
The city of Nürnberg and its historical family breweries are hosting the Franconian Beer Fest in the castle moat underneath the Kaiserburg (Auf der Burg 13) May 30 through June 3. Visitors can sample more than 100 different kinds of beer in the romantic setting of the moat, as well as try some of the many Franconian food specialties offered. Live music entertainment, information booths and a children’s program make sure the whole family can have fun. The fest area can be reached via Hallertor, Tiergärtnertor or Maxtor. Opening hours are Wednesday, 5 – 11 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 2:30 – 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. To learn more about the festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/336062393464717 or  www.bierfest-franken.de

Wine fest in Tauberzell
The vintners in Tauberzell are celebrating a wine fest May 30 through June 3 with live music every evening. The official opening ceremony with the Franconian wine princess takes place Thursday at 8 p.m. Find out more at www.winzerverein-tauberzell.de

German holiday – May 31
May 31 marks a German holiday, Fronleichnam or Corpus Christi. It is often celebrated with a church procession through town.  As usual, stores and businesses off-post are closed and “quiet laws” apply (no loud noise, lawn-mowing etc.). Since Fronleichnam always falls on a Thursday, Germans like to take Friday off work and thus create an extended four-day weekend. Many communities plan special events and festivities for this time period.

Open House and food trucks 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, June 3 from noon to 5 p.m. Guided tours take place every full hour. Visitors will be well taken care of with beverages and food from food trucks (special event). Admission is free, but donations are always welcome. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/949576525210353

Open shop Sunday – Ansbach
Ansbach is hosting an ‘open shop Sunday’ June 3 as part of the Altstadtfest; shops downtown and in the mall will be open from 1 to 6 p.m.

Kinderfest in Bad Windsheim Museum
The Fränkisches Freilandmuseum in Bad Windsheim is hosting a Kinderfest June 9 and 10. Children can run around and explore, watch and work on crafts, jump around in straw, talk to bees, and much more…To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/257292174838275/

Muna Museum Expo
The Museum for Military History in Oberdachstetten, also called Muna Museum, hosts its annual expo and open house June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the museum volunteers will provide food from a German army kitchen and beverages, coffee and cake for sale, while visitors explore the many historical exhibits spanning several decades. The museum is located on Oberdachstetten Training Area, on Franken Kaserne exit along B13 near Marktbergel; admission fee for 15 years and older is 6 euros, children enter free of charge. To learn more, visit www.munamuseum.de

Bauernmarktmeile in Nürnberg
Bavaria’s largest farmer’s market takes place in Nürnberg June 17 at the Hauptmarkt downtown. Regional farmers sell their produce form10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1984053231910783

Norisring Race in Nürnberg
The speed weekend on June 22 -24 at the Norisring on Dutzendteich is a traditional car race event that was started as the “200 Miles of Nürnberg” in the 50s. Today more than 150,000 visitors enjoy watching the 2.3 kilometer city course along the Zeppelinfeld, which only takes about a minute to complete. Races include Deutschen Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), the Porsche Cup, Formula-3 Euroseries and the VW Scirocco Cup. To learn more, go to www.norisring.de

Brückentag – Word of the Month
In spring time, a few German holidays fall on a Thursday. Germans love to take a Brückentag – a bridge day – to prolong the weekend attached to it and take off several days in a row. They use those days for short trips, take care of unfinished business or do a lot of shopping.

Spargel season is here
The asparagus season in the area is about to begin, especially if the weather continues to be mild. In Franconia alone about 250 asparagus farmers harvest the “white gold” as it is also called. The white asparagus, and later in the month the green version, will be available soon in many supermarkets, vending booths along the road or straight from your local farmer. The season traditionally ends on 24 June, St. Johannis Day. For a collection of recipes (in German), visit http://www.spargel-franken.de/rezepte.php

“Sommer in der City” – Beach feeling in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg city beach is open again on Insel Schütt (near Cinecitta movie theater). Enjoy folding beach chairs, cocktails and music, palm trees and a pool bar from 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 3 to 10 p.m. during the week, all the way to July 22. To learn more, go to www.sommer-in-der-city.com

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).

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

Wandertage in Markt Erlbach
Hiking days take place in Markt Erlbach June 16 & 17 with distances of 6, 10 and 20 kilometers. Start times are 6 a.m. to noon for 6 and 10 km, and 6 – 11 a.m. for 20 km. Starting point is the Rangauhalle (Zennhäuser Weg 6, 91459 Markt Erlbach). To learn more, visit https://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/fr/Markt%20Erlbach%2016.%20u.%2017.06.2018%20ohne%20Werbung.pdf

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.