Was ist los in Franken? Oct. 30, 2015

Every fall Rothenburg ob der Tauber hosts a night fun run with the city lit up with torches and other decorative light sources. (Photo: Rothenburg Lichterlauf)

ANSBACH, Germany (Oct. 30, 2015) — “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Lower, Upper and Middle Franconia.

Lebkuchenmarkt in Nürnberg
The Lebkuchen, a type of gingerbread, is a trade mark of Nürnberg. The city hosts a Lebkuchen market to celebrate the delicacy through Nov. 1 on the plaza in front of Lorenzkirche. Opening hours are 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. daily.

Consumenta Nürnberg
The Consumenta, a large consumer’s fair, takes place at the Nürnberg Messezentrum through Nov. 1; visitors can find lots of information about technology, real estate, cooking and baking, pets, horses and much more. Opening hours are daily 9:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. To learn more, visit www.consumenta.de

Fish Harvest Week in Dinkelsbühl
During the fish harvest week in Dinkelsbühl on Oct. 30 through Nov. 8 restaurants in town offer local fish specialties in many variations. To learn more, visit Fischerntewoche Dinkelsbühl

International Sled Dog Races
The 20th International Sled Dog Races take place in Oberndorf/Geslau (near Rothenburg) on Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. Due to the lack of snow the dogs pull carts instead of sleds. A night race starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 30; events are continued on Saturday and Sunday with daytime races. To learn more, visit http://sleddogfriends.de

Halloween at Tucherland
The Tucherland fun park in Nürnberg (Marienbergstr. 102) is hosting a Halloween party for the young ones Oct. 30, starting at 2 p.m. To learn more, visit Tucherland

Halloween at Playmobil Funpark
The Playmobil Funpark in Zirndorf (Brandstätterstraße 2-10) is hosting Halloween events and activities on Oct. 31; to learn more, visit www.playmobil-funpark.de

All Saints Day marks holiday in Bavaria
Allerheiligen (All Saints Day) is a Christian day to remember all saints, martyrs and deceased. It is observed on Nov. 1 every year in Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland, as well as in Austria and Italy. As it falls on a Sunday this year, business operations won’t be affected.

Fish and Wild Game Days in Feuchtwangen
The Fish and Game Days, a culinary week in Feuchtwangen from Nov. 4 to 9 bring regional and seasonal products fresh on the table at local restaurants. For a program, go to Fish und Wildtage Feuchtwangen

Charity Flea Market in Dinkelsbühl
The ‘Freie evangelische Gemeinde’ in Dinkelsbühl (Wittener Str. 7) is hosting a charity flea market Nov. 7 between 1 and 6 p.m.; shoppers can enjoy free coffee and tea while browsing (donations welcome). Vendors can set up a table for a donation as well. To register for a table, call 09851-5249051.

Rothenburger Lichterlauf
The Rothenburger Lichterlauf, a race in and around the torch-lit city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, takes place Nov 7, starting with a Bambini race at 4:30 p.m.; the hobby runners start at 5:30 p.m. and the main race begins at 6:45 p.m. Start and finish are at the Marktplatz in Rothenburg, the awards ceremony takes place at 8 p.m. For more information check Rothenburger Lichterlauf

Kneipenjagd Ansbach
Local pubs and restaurants are hosting another “Kneipenjagd” or “pub crawl” in Ansbach on Nov. 7; 20 bands play live in different locations in town. One ticket buys admission for all locations and live bands all night long; tickets bought in advance (Brückencenter or participating pubs) cost 11 euros, others are 13 euros. For details on participating locations and program, go to Kneipenjagd Ansbach

Culinary Wine Fair in Fürth
Fürth is hosting a culinary wine fair – Wein- und Delikatessenmesse – in the Stadthalle in Fürth (Rosenstraße 50) Nov. 7 and 8; about 100 vendors present their goods of wine, sparkling wine and spirits as well as international food specialties. Opening hours are Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; to learn more, go to www.weinmesse-fuerth.de

Basketball in Ansbach
The Ansbach Piranhas basketball team is playing against FC Bayern München 2 on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sporthalle (Gym) of the Theresiengymnasium (Schreibmüllerstraße 10, Ansbach). To learn more about the team, check out their Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/hapa-Ansbach-Piranhas-358049597617978/

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. Look for posters or flyers in your community 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.

Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is open until November 8. Visitors can expect spectacular works of art created from 450 000 pumpkins and gourds, or admire more than 500 variations of the vegetable. Culinary delights like pumpkin soup, burgers or strudel can be tried on site. For more details, visit www.kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en or https://www.facebook.com/events/415907721882092/#!/kuerbisausstellung

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 distances varies from 5-, 10-, or 20-kilometer routes to 42-, 50- and event 60-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.

* Nov. 7: Fürth-Oberfürberg, guided marathon hike (42k) with „1st Nürnberger Volkslaufclub 1969 e.V.,“ 0911-698065. Start: 7 a.m. at Gaststätte Waldlust, Rennweg 68, 90768 Fürth. Please register prior to event. To learn more, visit Marathon Hike Fürth

* Nov. 7 and 8: Wachenroth (5, 10 k) with SV Wachenroth, 09548-1744 or 0176-35306591. Start: Sat. 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to noon at Ebrachtalhalle, Schulstraße, 96193 Wachenroth. To learn more, visit http://www.dvv-wandern.de/files/documents/ausschreibungen_wandertage/fr/2015/Wachenroth%20FR-M)%2007.%20u.%2008.11.2015.pdf (includes information in English)