October carnival starts today

Kaiserslautern’s traditional “Oktoberkerwe,” or October carnival, starts today and runs through Oct. 27 at the Messeplatz fairgrounds.

The carnival will feature rides for adults and children, a wide range of merchandise, and food and candy specialties.

City representatives will officially open the event by tapping the first keg of beer at 7 p.m. today in the big festival tent. After dark, at around 9 p.m., fireworks will be lit to signal the start of the 11-day event.

The history of carnivals in Kaiserslautern goes back to March 1571, when Emperor Maximilian II granted the town of Kaiserslautern the right to hold two cattle markets each year. For this event, travelers from all over came to town, and the traditional “Kerwe,” or carnival, which nowadays is held in May and October, began.

Since World War II, the “Lautrer Kerwe” has the reputation of being the biggest folks fest in the Westpfalz, attracting about 200,000 visitors annually.

The carnival will offer a variety of rides and entertainment for adults and children. One ride, called the “Cyber Space,” takes riders through 360 degree turns at a speed of 90 kph and more than 160 feet in the air. “Transformer” is equipped with action, sound, light and special effects. “Shining” provides horror fun on 280 square meters.

Traditional rides include  “Breakdance,” “Musik Express” and “Wilde Maus.”

The giant Ferris wheel, the token of each folks fest, will offer fantastic views from a height of about 130 feet.

Children can have fun riding ponies, mini scooters and merry-go-rounds.

Beer gardens, bistros and various tents will lure hungry and thirsty visitors, where Palatinate and international culinary specialties will be sold.

The carnival also features a “shopping street,” where visitors can purchase merchandise, including jewelry, clothing, household items, leather goods, spices, and arts and crafts.

A family day with reduced prices, special offers, face painting and a balloon artist will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A closing ceremony of fireworks will be held on the last day of the carnival at 9 p.m. Oct. 27.

During the carnival, rides will be open from 2 to 11 p.m. every day, and until midnight today and on Saturdays.

Some food booths and vendors will start selling their specialties and merchandise at 11 a.m. each day.

Traditionally, during the October carnival, Sunday shopping will be offered in the City of Kaiserslautern. Stores will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.