Drifting fest highlights old craftsmanship

The traditional drifting fest in Leinbach Valley between Frankenstein and Waldleiningen will take place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Biedenbacher Woog pond.

In addition to enjoying an attractive entertaining program for the young and old, visitors will experience how logging and the drifting of timber worked 160 years ago. Drifting timber is the transportation of wood on water.

At 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., visitors can watch demonstrations of logging with horses and experience how wood was transported on creeks through Leinbach Valley. Forestry workers will show how the use of working horses in wooded and agricultural areas is still being maintained.

Like in recent years, children can have fun participating in a bark boat race and win prizes, or they can watch the work of beekeepers. Bugle musicians will entertain the audience.

For the first time, organizers offer a free guided mountain bike tour starting at 10 a.m. near the public pool in Hochspeyer, Am Weiherberg 7, to the drifing fest area. The tour is about 25 kilometers long and easy enough for beginners. After passing the altitude difference of 300 meters, bikers can enjoy culinary specialties such as grilled game dishes, Palatinate delicacies, homemade cakes as well as coffee and beverages.

Biedenbacher Woog is located between Frankenstein and Waldleiningen. Visitors can get there by foot, bicycle, horse or carriage. It is not possible to drive in privately owned vehicles to the fest area.

A free shuttle service will be available. Shuttles will leave Frankenstein at various times from the train station and Alter Postplatz. In Waldleininingen, the shuttle stop will be next to the Paul-Muench-Scheune barn. Signs will lead to the bus stops.

For more information and shuttle-bus times, visit www.enkenbach-alsenborn.de.