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Ramstein-Miesenbach will hold its annual Wendelinusmarkt and its fourth October fest today though Sunday.
“Wendelinus market will feature about 140 vendors, craftsmen and store owners who present their merchandise in the center of town, which will be closed to motorized traffic,” said organizer Joe Felka.
The event will open at 1 p.m. Saturday with a prayer and the blessing of animals. Visitors can bring their pets.
Wendelinus market will also include a French market with food specialties set up on Spesbacher Strasse and French music. More than 20 vendors from France will present delicacies such as patés, terrines, cremant, champagne, crepes and tarte flambée.
An international arts and crafts market can be found on the parking lot of the Edeka grocery store. There will be presentations of former craftsmanship and a tavern, where food specialties from Thuringia will be served.
Other food items will include bratwurst, roasted pork, and Asian and Italian dishes. The Ramstein Kolping Family will sell coffee and cakes.
“Like every year, our net profits will go to the children’s cancer aid again,” said Ludwig Linsmayer, Ramstein-Miesenbach deputy mayor and chief of the Ramstein Kolping Family. “We’ll offer long Saturday shopping until 6 p.m., and on Sunday, our specialty stores and the two big grocery stores will open from 1 to 6 p.m.”
The history of Wendelinusmarkt dates back to the beginning of the 18th century when most village residents were farmers and an epidemic threatened Ramstein’s cattle. People started praying to Saint Wendelinus, the saint of plague, who was asked for help in case of contagious diseases. They promised to celebrate the day of Saint Wendelinus each year if the epidemic would end.
The first celebration was on a Monday in 1710. People didn’t want to work that day and schools were closed. Relatives living outside of Ramstein came to visit, went to confession and listened to the fest sermon conducted by several priests from three altars, for 12 hours, without interruption.
Afterward, people stopped at the chestnut carnival in front of the church, where rosaries, crucifixes, prayer books, candles and chestnuts were sold. Years ago, the 12-hour prayer was moved to Sunday, and the local Catholic holiday lost its importance. The market wasted away throughout the years until the Ramstein shop owners and businesses revived it in fall of 1986. The new Wendelinus market with Sunday shopping was born.
The October fest, which will be part of Wendelinus market, will mainly be celebrated in a big beer tent on Prometheusplatz.
“Tickets are still available for the Midnight Ladies, performing at 8 p.m. today,” Felka said. Cost is €9.
The concert with the party band Habachtaler Saturday night is already sold out. On Sunday, the band Saarländer Spitzbuben will entertain the audience for free from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
