Barbarossa fest begins Thursday downtown

Kaiserslautern’s annual Barbarossa fest called “Swinging Lautern” takes
place Thursday through Sept. 2. The advertising agency “Kaiser in
Lautern” is sponsoring the fest that features music, activities,
attractions and food in the streets and on stages in the center of town.

Lord Mayor Bernhard Deubig and Miss Kaiserslautern officially open the
event at 6 p.m. Thursday on a stage next to Stiftskirche. The Trevor
Richards New Orleans Trio provides entertainment until 11 p.m.

The Old Jazz Union puts together the musical program of Swinging Lautern with renowned artists and bands from the region.

Sept. 1 and 2, the fest continues from 11 a.m. to midnight. A variety
of bands play swing, salsa, boogie, blues and rock music. The U.S. Air
Forces in Europe Band Wings of Dixie performs noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 1 on
stage at Altenhof (near Kreissparkasse).

Visitors can taste all kinds of culinary food specialties from different countries in white pagoda tents.

Children can take part in many activities such as face painting, the kiddie train and a merry-go-round.

Stores provide special attractions including a fashion show, cooking demonstrations, a book market and arts and crafts markets.

The Kaiserslautern World Cup office auctions flags, signs and other
items from the recent FIFA World Cup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 on
the stage near Stiftskirche. Proceeds will be used to build a soccer
field for youth.