May carnival starts May 11 in Kaiserslautern

The Kaiserslautern May carnival called “Maikerwe” starts May 11 on the Messeplatz fairgrounds. The event, which will run through May 21, is known as the biggest folks fest in the West Pfalz.

More than 140 ride owners and vendors will offer their attractions, merchandise and food specialties in the giant “amusement city.” Maikerwe will officially open with tapping the first keg of beer at 6 p.m. May 11 in the festival’s tent. A fireworks display will be lit around 10 p.m.

The carnival offers a variety of rides for adults and children. Highlights will be the double looping rollercoaster and the Skater, which gives a good shaking.

Visitors can enjoy looking over the fairgrounds from the roof terrace and skyline Café of the biggest mobile skyscraper of the world, the Tower Center. The walk upstairs will offer thrills and surreal surprises.

The Magic House exhibits the fantastic world of magic on three floors. Fast rides will be provided in Nightstyle, Green Hell and Taiga Jet.

The giant Ferris wheel called Amore allows

visitors a good view from a height of 40 meters.

Children can have fun with skills games, pony-riding or taking rides in miniscooters and merry-go-rounds.

Beer gardens, the chicken tent and fest tents will lure hungry and thirsty visitors. Palatinate and international culinary specialties such as crispy chicken, ham hocks, crepes, pizza and fish are also available at the food booths.

The “shopping alley” will provide shopping fun until late at night. Vendors will sell a variety of merchandise to include clothes, household items, leather goods, jewelry, spices and  arts and crafts items. Family Day with reduced prices and special offers until 7 p.m. is scheduled for May 16. American carnival-goers can enjoy a Dollar Day May 18. American customers can pay in their own currency and most ride owners are willing to trade one to one that day. The carnival concludes with a fireworks display around 10 p.m. May 21.

The rides are open 2 to 11 p.m. each day, and until midnight Saturdays. Some food booths and vendors open at 11 a.m.