A Ravenclaw, a pirate and a fighterpilot walked through a wall . . .

. . .in order to attend the Faschings parade in Michelstadt.

Faschings, in case you are not already aware, is the German celebration similar to Mardi Gras or Carnival--and it is some of the most FUN to be had in Germany.  All over the Southern half of the country (and some in the Nothern parts) sometimes between last Friday and this coming Tuesday small towns and big cities have parades and silly, fun, drunken (but rarely out of control) parties.  Faschings parades, which all seem to start at exactly 2:11 p.m. on whichever day the town celebrates, are living proof that the stereotype of Germans as always serious is simply not true.  

Americans wear costumes for Halloween, but Germans wear them for Faschings and they are nearly always silly and light hearted, and everyone, of all ages, participates. Scary or Macabre costumes are really not around at all (you do see those at the growing number of Halloween events cropping up in the fall) Here are a few crowd shots in Michelstadt today:

We'd never been to Michelstadt's parade before.  We wanted to try a smaller town's parade today (Heidelberg is always on Tuesday) and thought this picturesque little town. which does such a nice job with the Christmas Market, would be a good place to try--and it WAS.  We had a wonderful time.  It was just big enough to feel real but small enough to be low stress and have a sweet, small town feel.  Below are many images from the parade, with just a few comments here and there:

Most parades seem to be preceded by a pretzel cart; how could Marika resist a pretzel?

Many of these truck-floats (and also the walkers, some pulling wagons of supplies) throw out candy or bagged popcorn.   Quite a few will also hand you a beer (free, no ID check--this would so never happen in the USA)

I love how Carnival Clubs will have marchers of all ages: from toddlers to seniors

If you aren't careful to cover the top as floats go by, a tossed candy might land in that free beer!

I love the classic "Fashcing's Girl" dresses (I have no idea what they are really called, but that is what Marika and I call them)

I got such a kick about this Steinbach fire department float

Yes, the firefighters dressed as KISS

The float says that when Steinbach is not on fire they'll rock your socks off (it rhymes in German)

A rare pick up truck in Germany, carrying the Prince and Princess as well as the child Prince and child Princess

After the parade, we joined hundreds of others streaming into the bakery for the traditional Faschings treat: jelly filled donuts known as Berliners or Keppels.  Mmmmmm.

I love how, right about when winter is becoming draining and bleak, Germany jumps in and livens everything up with a PARTY full of color and fun.  Happy Faschings!

--Hadley