Was ist los in Franken? May 18, 2018

Pfingstrosen are named after the Pfingsten holiday (Pentecost)

ANSBACH, Germany (May 18, 2018) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.

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).

Bergkirchweih in Erlangen
Known to anybody in and around Erlangen as “Der Berg,” the Bergkirchweih attracts about a million visitors each year.  The site of the fest is located by the storage cellars of the old beer breweries; tables and benches are sitting in the shade of large chestnut trees, while rides keep the visitors busy. It is ongoing May 17 through 28 along Bergstrasse. Public transportation is recommend, as parking nearby is almost impossible. To learn more, visit https://www.berch.info/englisch.html

German holiday  – Pfingsten May 21
Monday, May 21, is a German holiday, Pfingstmontag (Pentecost or Whit Monday). As usual, stores and businesses off-post are closed and “quiet laws” apply (no loud noise, lawn-mowing etc.).

Pfingstferien – School break in Bavaria
German children are going on school break from May 19 to 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 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 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/events/949576525210353

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

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

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.