Was ist los in Franken? Oct. 7, 2016

Landesgartenschau Bayreuth (Photo: Bianca Sowders)

ANSBACH, Germany (Oct. 7, 2016) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Middle, Lower and Upper Franconia.

Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg
The annual pumpkin festival on Ludwigsburg’s castle grounds (Marbacher Strasse 10, 71640 Ludwigsburg, Germany) is now open until November 6. 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 Pumpkin Festival or Kürbisausstellung

Last Chance for State Garden Show in Bayreuth
Every year the state of Bavaria hosts a garden show in a different location; landscapes are transformed into beautiful garden scenes, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This year the “Landesgartenschau” is located in Bayreuth, capital of Upper Franconia. The show is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until October 9 along the Roter Main River (Friedrich-Ebert-Straße/Äußere Badstraße). Day tickets are available for 16 euros for adults; children 7-17 years old pay 3 euros per day. Visitors arriving by train at the Bayreuth Bahnhof can use a free shuttle to the location and will receive a 2 euro discount on their (adult’s) ticket by showing the train pass. To learn more about the garden show, visit Landesgartenschau

Michaelis Kirchweih in Fürth
The Michaelis Kirchweih in Fürth, ongoing until Oct. 12, is Bavaria’s largest street Kirchweih fest. Special event highlights include a street fun run and the harvest thanksgiving parade on Oct. 9. To learn more about the fest program and other details, visit Michaeliskirchweih.

Mercato dei Sapori in Nürnberg
A “market of flavors” – Mercato dei Sapori – takes place downtown Nürnberg at the Fleischbruecke (near Hauptmarkt) Oct. 6 through 22, offering Italian food and wine specialties.

Market of Delicacies – Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim
The outdoor museum in Bad Windsheim is hosting a “Markt der Genüsse” – a market of delicacies – on Oct 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring regional products, music and much more. To learn more, visit Markt der Genüsse 

Regional Market in Schwabach
Schwabach is hosting a market with regional presenters, farmers, crafters and more at the Martin-Luther-Plats and Königsplatz on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit Regionalmarkt Schwabach

Bremserfest in Iphofen and Veitshöchheim
The wine towns Iphofen and Veitshöchheim celebrate bringing in the last load of grapes and the fresh pressed fermenting new wine, here called “Bremser.” Along with the Bremser the hosts serve typical Franconian delicacies like “Zwiebelkuchen” (‘onion cake’), Bratwurst and more.
Iphofen’s Bremserfest takes place Saturday, Oct. 8 at Historischer Marktplatz, starting at 1:30 p.m. The Veitshöchheim festivities begin at 1 p.m.  on Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Rathausinnenhof in Veitshöchheim (Erwin-Vornberger-Platz), ending at 7 p.m.

Fall Market in Bad Windsheim
Bad Windsheim’s fall market with flea market takes place downtown Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stores will open at 1 p.m. for Sunday shoppers.

Orchard Day in Burgbernheim
Burgbernheim is celebrating “Streuobsttag,” an orchard day, Sunday, Oct. 9, starting at 11 a.m. on Kapellenberg; a festive church service at 10 a.m. in the chapel precedes the market opening. During the day, farmers offer regional products, beekeepers and basket weavers show of their crafts and pomologist identify old apple varieties. A petting zoo with sheep and designated children’s area make the event attractive for the whole family. Highlights include the crowning of the new apple queen (2 p.m.), sheep shearing (3 p.m.) and a raffle drawing (4 p.m.). As usual, there will be plenty of food and beverages available. To learn more, visit Orchard Day

Preston Reed plays in Fürth
Preston Reed, a U.S. born guitar player, performs at the Kofferfabrik (Lange Strasse 81, 90762 Fürth) on Monday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit Preston Reed

Apfelmarkt in Fürth
The apple market in Fürth in the Stadtpark (Hans-Schiller-Allee) is scheduled for Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can find out almost everything there is to know about the regional fruit, and sample Franconian dishes and beverages made from apples, pears and more. Experts in tree cutting or basket weaving show off their skills, children are entertained with games and craft projects.

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.

* October 14 in Rothenburg: Guided Day Tour “Panoramaweg Rothenburg” with distances of 6 and 11 kilometers. Start is 2 p.m. at Sporthalle, Erlbacher Straße 5, 91541 Rothenburg o.d. Tauber. To learn more, visit Day Hike Rothenburg

* October 15 and 16 in Neunkirchen am Brand: Wandertag distances are 5, 10 and 20 kilometers. Starts at 7 a.m. to noon at Schule, Schellenberger Weg 26, 91077 Neunkirchen am Brand. To learn more, visit Volksmarch Neunkirchen.

* October 15 and 16 in Grafenwöhr: Hiking distances are 5 and 10 kilometers; starts at 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 7 – 11 a.m.  on Sunday at Katholisches Jugendheim, Kolpingstr, 92655 Grafenwöhr.