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SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany ― For three days this year, the Eifel area will become the site for a mega cultural event. This event is the annual Rheinland-Pfalz State Fair held in the city of Prüm today to Sunday.
Every year, the state of Rheinland-Pfalz selects a different city to host the event. It’s probably not a coincidence that Prüm was chosen to host this year’s Rheinland-Pfalz Tag ― the largest state fair of its kind for the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz, where people may experience local state culture, beautiful scenery and entertainment all at once.
The Eifel is an attractive tourist spot and the Eifel city of Prüm, located right at the doorsteps of Spangdahlem Air Base, is a city with a lot of charm, beauty and a rich history. The city is famous for its Saint Salvator Basilica and the adjacent Abbey of Prüm, which serves as a school today. Prüm has a large variety of hotels and restaurants, leisure facilities and is known for its beautiful walking and bicycling trails all around the city.
According to event organizers, the three-day state fair may draw up to as many as 100,000 visitors from around Germany and the neighboring countries of Belgium and Luxembourg. Prüm has about 6,000 inhabitants, and many of them are currently arranging all the details in preparation for the mega festival.
This is the 28th year Rheinland-Pfalz has hosted this fair, which offers a variety of entertainment and cultural events.
Different regions, cities, communities and associations from around the state will take part in the activities.
Among the highlights is a cultural parade float from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, featuring more than 130 floats and groups with 4,000 participants. The parade is between 2 and 3 kilometers long and leads through the center of town. Visitors will stand along the sides of the road to observe and cheer. It is a great opportunity for people to take photographs of local tradition and culture. Many people will be dressed up in original folk costumes.
Overall, Rheinland-Pfalz Tag features large-scale exhibitions, more than 20 festival areas with many large music and performance stages that host concerts, shows, dances and sports events.
Sales stands with art and souvenirs can be found throughout the festival. A large variety of different food items, beverages and wines from different regions within Rheinland-Pfalz will be available for tasting.
The event also has a large-scale joint military forces exhibition, including U.S. Air Forces in Europe components.
This year, the 52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem will officially represent the Air Force with exhibitions and other activities.
The 2011 state fair in Prüm begins today with official opening remarks by state and local officials. The Minister President of Rheinland-Pfalz, Kurt Beck, will welcome visitors.
The Polizei Orchester Rheinland-Pfalz will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. today and the German Big Band of the Federal Police Orchester from Munich will play at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on Monthermeerstrasse, Area Nr. 5.
Among the highlights of the state fair is a giant fireworks display at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Most events will come to an end at this time.
Organizers say the city will be crowded throughout the festival, especially Sunday. Participants are discouraged from bringing small children in strollers to the evening events. The center of town will be blocked off to traffic all three days. It is advisable to arrive early by car to find good parking.
There will be designated parking areas located outside the city. Shuttle busses will take people back and forth to the events. Alcohol controls will be enforced, and visitors should arrange for transportation prior to consuming alcohol.
