Altstadfest lures with music, food, fun

***image1***Kaiserslautern’s old part of town, Altstadt, turns into a big open air area where the Altstadtfest is celebrated today through Sunday .

“We are proud to be able to offer a diversified program of high quality,” said Alexander Hess, project manager of the office for events in Kaiserslautern. “The event is a meeting place for friends and we again expect about 150,000 visitors.”

More than 50 bands and artists perform on nine stages. More than 80 vendors sell their merchandise such as art and craft items, leather goods, jewelry and clothes in the side streets of Steinstrasse.

About 40 restaurant and pub owners located in the Altstadt, put up booths and tables and offer food specialties to include Palatinate and international dishes. Also, more than 30 local associations present who they are and what they do. Visitors can watch walking acts, artists, cheerleaders, medieval dances and show fights.

Lord Mayor Bernhard Deubig officially opens the fest 7 p.m. today on Martinsplatz (the bottom of Steinstrasse).

Throughout the streets and on all stages, a variety of bands perform. Following the kick-off, the band Wet Sets performs. The Readdy Teddys present a rock ‘n’ roll show on Unionsplatz and Strings perform near the Kaiser fountain.

Saturday at 11 a.m. on Martinsplatz, the group Die Leimsieder perform Dixie music, followed by Mocabo in the afternoon and Perblind starting at 6 p.m. The regional band Snailshouse starts its show at 9 p.m.

***image2***Stephan Flesch and Band play blues and soul in the evening on Stockhausplatz. Sunday morning, Jazz Club performs on Martinsplatz to be followed by Spanish music with MiCarla. Brass Machine starts at 3 p.m. on Stockhausplatz and the show orchestra The New Generation performs in the evening. Young talents from Kaiserslautern and the regional area present their skills in the yard of Kopp and Kraus in the afternoon before the rock band Exxes starts in the evening.

The election of Miss Kaiserslautern is a highlight scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday on Unionsplatz.
Several streets will be closed to traffic. Visit www.kaiserslautern.de for details and parking options.