Was ist los in Franken? Sept. 16, 2016

Kirchweih in Herrieden (Photo credit: Stadt Herrieden)

ANSBACH, Germany (Sept. 16, 2016) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Middle, Lower and Upper Franconia.

Kirchweih Herrieden
The traditional Herrieder Kirchweih takes place on the Festplatz, just outside the city gate, the Storchenturm, along the Altmühl River, on Sept. 16 – 19. The opening ceremony starts with a concert on Marktplatz on Friday at 6:45 p.m., followed by the tapping of the first keg by the mayor at 7:15 p.m. inside the fest tent. Fest rides and vending booths complete the Kirchweih experience. The Herrieden stores will be open on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Guided Ansbach City Tour in English – Oct. 1
Ansbach’s more than 1250 years of eventful history has left its marks: gorgeous Baroque style facades and hidden Renaissance inner court yards, the former Margrave’s Royal Chapel, the crypt with its 25 sarcophagi and the Baroque Synagogue are just a few highlights that you will discover during the one-hour-guided city tour the tourist office offers on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m.; meeting point is the horse sculpture “Anscavallo” on Schlossplatz (Promenade 27) downtown Ansbach. Cost per person is 6 euros; a preregistration at akut@ansbach.de or 0981-51-243 is preferred, but spontaneous participants are welcome as well.

Fall Market in Nürnberg
The Nürnberg “Herbstmarkt” takes place on the main market place (Hauptmarkt) downtown through Oct. 3; vendors sell household goods, pottery, clothes and arts and crafts. Opening hours are daily 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit Herbstmarkt.

Kirchweih in Schwabach
The Schwabach fall Kirchweih takes place Sept. 16 through 25 at the Königsplatz. Highlights – besides rides and booths – are the Kirchweih parade, the raising of the Kirchweih tree and the tapping of the first keg, starting at 5 p.m. on Sept. 16.

Grafflmarkt – Fürth
The Grafflmarkt in Fürth, a large flea market downtown, takes place on Sept 16 and 17 between Gustavstrasse, Grüner Markt and Paisleyplatz. Opening times are Friday 4 – 10 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fall Fest at the Windsheim Museum
The Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim celebrates fall by showing old crafts and traditions on Sept. 17 and 18 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. To learn more, visit Museum Fall Fest

Altstadtfest – Nürnberg
The traditional Altstadtfest downtown Nürnberg, scheduled for September 19 -26, is one of the most popular highlights in the Franconian event calendar. The Hans-Sachs-Platz and Insel Schütt turn into fest grounds with wooden huts that offer local culinary specialties; the entertainment program includes cultural and traditional events, like the Fischerstechen, an event that includes boats on the river and people with long poles pushing each other off these boats. Program details and other information can be found at Altstadtfest.

Two-city run Merkendorf/Wolframs-Eschenbach
The annual “2 Städtelauf” between Merkendorf and Wolframs-Eschenbach takes place on Sept. 24. There will be a 21.1 km half marathon, a 10 km citizen run, a 5.5 km ‘hobby’ run/walk, a 3 km student run and a 300m Bambini run. Registration deadline is Sept. 18, but late registration is possible on site until one hour before each race. For more details, fees and registration, go to Merkendorf or Wolframs-Eschenbach.

Oktoberfest in Munich
The Oktoberfest in Munich – the original Oktoberfest – is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world’s largest fair with more than 6 million people from around the world attending every year. It started out as a royal wedding celebration in October 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen; the fields, where the celebration took place, were named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in honor of the crown princess.

The Oktoberfest, also known as the “Wies’n,” takes place on Munich’s Theresienwiese on Sept. 17 to Oct. 3. The midway is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (30 minutes longer on the weekends); the beer tents have the same opening hours, but the last beer will be served an hour before closure.

*Highlights: Highlights of the Oktoberfest – besides the numerous rides, attractions and tents – include the opening parade of the Wiesn-Wirte (tent owners) on Sept. 17 at 11 a.m., the traditional garb and master shooters parade (Trachten- und Schützenzug) on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. or the traditional gun-salute on the steps of the Bavaria monument at noon on October 2. Official family days with reduced prices are Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m. Since there is no parking anywhere close to the location, visitors are encouraged to come to town by train or take advantage of the park & ride system and leave their vehicle at a public transportation stop outside of the city, using the subway (U-Bahn) to get there.

*Security concept: The security concept of the Oktoberfest is based on decades of experience and constantly reviewed. New this year will be a “security fence” along open stretches as well as a ban of back packs and larger bags; smaller bags are subject to search. Strollers are only allowed on weekdays until 6 p.m.; completely forbidden are items like glass bottles, gas spray cans or knives. On the busier days, like the weekends, visitors are advised to refrain from bringing small children. For more information about the Oktoberfest go to www.oktoberfest.de/en.

Refrain from Carrying Backpacks
In light of recent events throughout Europe, visitors may be prohibited from bringing backpacks or larger bags to public events; if allowed, the bags may be subject to search. To avoid inconvenience it is recommended to carry only what’s really necessary and leave larger carrying items behind.

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.

* September 17 and 18 in Oberasbach: Distances are 6, 11, 20 and 42 kilometers. Start times are Saturday 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (6, 11, 20 km) and 6:30 – 9 a.m. (42 km), Sunday 6:30a.m. to noon (6, 11, 20 km) and 6:30 – 9:00 a.m. (42 km); starting point is DJK-Halle (St. Johannes Straße 6, 90522 Oberasbach). To learn more, visit Volksmarch Oberasbach

* September 24 and 25 in Amberg: Hiking distances are 5 and 10 kilometers. Start is Saturday 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday 7 a.m. to noon at the Turnhalle VS Ammersricht, Bruder-Konrad-Weg 1, 92224 Amberg.

* October 1 and 2 in Tiefenbach (near Crailsheim): Hiking distances are 5, 10 and 21 kilometers; includes a family hike with special tasks and games for children (hands-on skill games, soccer ball shooting, leaves collecting, playground along the hike, etc.). Starts at Turn- u. Festhalle, Steinbachstr., 74564 Crailsheim-Tiefenbach, at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for (for 5 and 10 km) or 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 21 km on Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.