It's Kerwe time again!

This is the weekend of our town's annual Kerwe festival.  I am always  a sucker for a German Fest, and one that is mere steps from my front door is even better.

I suppose the Kerwe is not all that different than any number of town festivals in the US, but they end up feeling so much more appealing to me.  I like that most of the vendors are actually the local sports and social clubs serving food and drinks as their main fundraiser of the year.  I like that the costs are generally low for what you get (half a roast chicken with fries for dinner ran 7€ and that was by far the most expensive treat we had).     I enjoy the support for the local marching bands and Hungarian dance club, ballet troupes and hip hop dancers (sadly, I could not get close enough to get a good photo of the performances).   I like how very appealing these fests are to all ages (young children with their parents, teens and college aged kids on dates, retirees, elementary aged kids given some spending money earnestly discussing how many rides and pieces of candy they can afford and how they should divvy up their euroes)--no one is too young, too old or too cool to attend a Kerwe.  I like the lack of waste: food and drinks are served on real glass plates and in real glass beer mugs, etc.  Kerwes are just very pleasant places to be.

Last night things were starting to happen around 8:00, though most people were finally arriving as we headed home around 10:00.  Today the Kerwe was in full swing all day long and will run late into the night.  Tomorrow it will run until a bit past midday, and then only the imported carnival rides will remain come Monday.  I am always a little amazed at how much the clubs own for these events (tents, tables, benches, glassware, cooking items, etc) and how quickly they set up and dismantle.

Here is a taste of our Kerwe:

7:45 and no one has shown up yet--too early for opening night fun (an hour later and even families with young kids were coming in to ride)

This is a new ride this year:  it had a long line all day today; seems to be a hit

The youth group from one of the local churches runs a disco as a fundraiser.  It is a kid's disco in the daytime and a teen/young adult hang out at night, complete with fog machines, laser lights and loud music.  Here is the price list for the low quality shots they sell at night time--I took a photo because it is so alien to the American mentality that a church youth group would sell alcohol as a fundraiser.

We spent most of the evening chilling out in the swim club's cocktail bar

After the marching band comes through and the mayor gives a spiel, they tap a keg and hand out free beer--David got the last glass (and, yes, he is wearing Lederhosen; about 15% or so of the people at the Kerwe here do, and it is a fun excuse to wear them)

I love seeing all the people in their classic Bavarian style gear

All kinds of clubs are out and raising funds--it is fun to "bar hop" among them and help everyone out.  This is the ice hockey group's tent

and the horseback riding club

The Hungarian culture cub is my favourite stall and we stop by at least once a year for the wonderful deep fried dough that can be served sweet, topped with powder or cinnamon sugar, or savory with garlic sauce and cheese.

There is always some live music

and a chance to hang out with the mayor--who's easy to spot in his plastic crown (who says Germany are always serious?)

and rides---who says bumper cars are only for kids?

We spent most of the day at the Kerwe, went home for a bit and went back out to the handball club's tent for dinner.  The half eaten meals are not the point of this photo, but the real plates, metal flatware and actual glassware are---this is just not what you tend to see in outdoor festivals in the US.  I like it both because it is much better for the environment, and it is a lot easier to carry food on and eat it with.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into a small town German Kerwe.

Oh, and happy Reunification Day!

--Hadley