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ANSBACH, Germany (May 3, 2019) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout the Franconian region.
Asparagus season is here
The asparagus season in the area has begun! 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
Brückentag — Word of the Week
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 to take short trips, take care of unfinished business or do a lot of shopping.
Weinfest Ansbach
Ansbach is hosting its first ever wine festival May 29 through June 2 downtown o Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Platz. About 30 different wines from Franconian wine producers can be sampled under the canopy of trees; vendors are offering fish, Flammkuchen and Franconian Bratwurst. The opening ceremony with the Franconian Wine Queen takes place Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. To learn more, visit https://citymarketing-ansbach.de/ansbacher-weinfest-2
German Holiday – Vatertag
May 30 marks a German holiday, Christi Himmelfahrt or Christ’s Ascension Day. As always, stores and businesses will remain closed. It is also the German Father’s Day, often celebrated with traditional outings of groups of men hiking the countryside while pulling a hand-cart loaded with cold beverages. Germans like to take off the following Friday as a “Brückentag” (‘bridge day’) and enjoy an extended weekend.
Historical Fun Fair at Bad Windsheim museum
A historical fair with a flee circus, a fortune teller, a fakir and a historical carousel takes place at the Fränkische Freilandmuseum in Bad Windsheim May 30 through June 10. Sunday the traditional Kirchweih tree will be put up at 1:30 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/569544973542376
Kinderfest in Bad Windsheim
The outdoor museum in Bad Windsheim is hosting Kinderfest June 1 & 2; many surprises and adventures await the young visitors. To learn more, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2273270752895867
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 Sunday, June 2 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/282658935933578/
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 June 6 – 17 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 June 10
June 10 marks a German holiday, Pfingsten (Pentecost or Whitsunday). As usual, stores and businesses off-post are closed and “quiet laws” apply (no loud noise, lawn-mowing etc.).
Muna Museum Expo
The Museum for Military History in Oberdachstetten, also called Muna Museum, hosts its annual expo and open house June 16 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
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) June 19 – 23. 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/372067119864268 or www.bierfest-franken.de
Altstadtfest Ansbach
Ansbach’s downtown area turns into festival grounds for the popular Altstadtfest June 19 – 23; 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. Visit https://citymarketing-ansbach.de/veranstaltungen/altstadtfest/ to learn more.
German holiday – Fronleichnam June 20
June 20 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.
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).
Second Hand Bazaars for Parents
Parents are cleaning out the closets of their ever-growing offspring and take it to numerous “Kinderbasars” or “Baby-Basars” happening in the area this time of the year. Look for posters or flyers advertising the bazaars for second hand clothing, toys and equipment; usually they take place on a Saturday afternoon in the local church annex, school or community center.
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 local hikes, visit https://www.dvv-wandern.de/regionales-angebot/franken.html
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.
