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Ramstein-Miesenbach holds its annual Wendelinusmarkt and its second October fest today though Sunday in the center of town.
The Wendelinus market features about 100 vendors, craftsmen and store owners who will present their merchandise in the center of town, which will be closed to motorized traffic.
“On the Edeka parking lot, we offer a special children’s program (that) includes bungee trampoline, the crazy ladder, puppet theater and a lot more,” said Ralf Hechler, from the Ramstein–Miesenbach Advertising Association, which co-sponsors the event. “We officially open the market by tapping the first keg of beer at 11 a.m. Saturday.”
Stores will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Market activities will continue until 8 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by marching bands and fanfare players.
Besides shopping and entertainment, visitors can enjoy tasting a variety of culinary specialties including Palatinate, Asian and other international food items.
Together with the Ramstein Children’s and Youth Choir, the Kolping Family will sell
coffee and homemade cakes.
“Like every year, all net profits will go the children’s cancer aid again,” said Ludwig Linsmayer, chief of the Ramstein Kolping Family. The October fest is mainly celebrated in a large beer tent on Prometheusplatz.
“The band Tollhaus from Franconia performs at 8 p.m. today and the Habachtaler, a regional renowned band presents party hits Saturday night,” Mr. Hechler said.
Tickets cost €7. On Sunday, the band Bumsfallera will entertain the audience for free. Regional music associations will present brass music for free from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. Sunday. For details and tickets for the October fest, visit oktoberfest-ramstein.de.
The history of Wendelinusmarkt dates back to the beginning of the 18th century when most village residents were farmers and an epidemic threatened Ramstein’s cattle. People started praying to Saint Wendelinus, the saint of plague, who was asked for help in case of contagious diseases. They promised to celebrate the day of Saint Wendelinus each year if the epidemic would end.
The first celebration was on a Monday in 1710. People didn’t want to work that day and schools were closed.
Relatives living outside of Ramstein came to visit, went to confession and listened to the fest sermon conducted by several priests from three altars for 12 hours
without interruption.
Afterward, people stopped at the chestnut carnival in front of the church, where rosaries, crucifixes, prayer books, candles and chestnuts were sold. Years ago, the 12-hour prayer was moved to Sunday, and the local Catholic holiday lost its importance.
The market wasted away throughout the years until the Ramstein shop owners and businesses revived it in the fall of 1986.
“Next year, we will celebrate the market’s 300th anniversary,” Mr. Hechler said. “We try to think of very special attractions to lure visitors from all over.”
