Old town turns into stage July 6 to 8

Petra Lessoing
Kaiserslautern American


Kaiserslautern’s old part of town called “Altstadt” turns into a big open air stage today through Sunday for its annual Altstadtfest. It takes place on Steinstrasse and its side streets.

***image1***More than 50 bands and artists entertain the audience on eight stages. More than 80 national and international vendors present their merchandise such as art and craft items, leather goods, jewelry and clothes in the little side streets. Restaurant and pub owners located in the Altstadt put up booths and tables and take visitors on a culinary trip throughout the world.

Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Bernhard Deubig officially opens the event at 7 p.m. today in the yard of the Kopp und Kraus company before the band Undercover starts to perform.

On St. Martinsplatz, the band Jomtone performs rock and reggae, on Unionsplatz the Rock ‘n’ Roll Flamingos perform, and on Stockhausplatz the local Volker Klimmer Band presents a diversified program based on their 40-year old band history.

The medieval group Die Legende presents a fire show at 9:30 p.m. in Klosterstrasse (next to St. Martin’s Church).

“The event is a meeting place for friends and with the support of sponsors we are able to provide a high quality program,” said Alexander Hess, project manager of the office for events in Kaiserslautern.

***image2***Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, the Kolpingblasorchester Kaiserslautern takes visitors on a three-hour melody tour at Stockhausplatz before the children’s and youth dance group of the Dance Club Red White Kaiserslautern presents an hour long program.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band Check Six plays jazz 4 to 6 p.m. and Stephan Flesch and his band present their soul and blues program later on.
Harald Krüger and Low Budget perform rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s at 7 p.m. on Unionsplatz. German folk music can be listened to at the top of Steinstrasse near the fountain.

Various bands also play all day Sunday.

The theater group of the Altstadtheater performs in Theodor-Zink-Museum, and the medieval group Die Legende presents medieval live with dances, music, knight fights and juggling in the streets. Another fire show is 3 p.m. Players and cheerleaders of the Kaiserslautern football club Pikes show off their skills.

The election of Miss Kaiserslautern 2007 takes place 3 to 5 p.m. on Unionsplatz.

For more information on the program, bands and times, pick up the brochure in the Kaiserslautern Tourist Information office next to the Fruchthalle, in local restaurants or other official institutions.

About 180,000 visitors are expected to join the Altstadt party.

Several streets will be closed to traffic. For details  about the fest and parking possibilities, visit www.kaiserslautern.de.