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***image1***Oppenheim celebrates 1,000 years of market rights and sponsors a medieval fest Saturday and Sunday in town and at Landskron Castle.
Phantasia Historica, an agency which specializes in medieval events, co-sponsors the Middle Age spectacle.
“The fest features a knights’ camp, a craftsmen’s market, musical performances, jugglers’ presentations, a fire show and a lot more,” said Angelika Simgen from Phantasia Historica.
About 15 groups of knights, soldiers, lansquenets and Vikings show how life used to be in the Middle Ages. They present short theater plays, which include sword fights and cannon shoots.
Craftsmen present medieval skills on three levels. There is a copper maker, paper maker, dipper, wool spinner, stone sculptor, tanner, turner, potter, goldsmith, basket weaver, wood carver and painter.
“On 80 stands, the craftsmen also sell their handcrafted items,” said Mrs. Simgen. “There will be a variety of clothes for men and women, jewelry and leather goods.”
The cultural program is made by music groups and bands, who perform medieval folk music, love and pilgrims’ songs, Celtic and Irish folk music on stage in the market area and in the taverns. Jugglers, fools and witches entertain visitors and play tricks on them. Fire shows are scheduled in the evenings.
Children can enjoy listening to fairy tales, watching puppet theater, trying out archery and riding ponies.
“We also put up a big Viking boat for kids to play on, and a historical merry-go-round,” said Mrs. Simgen.
Three stands offer wooden toys such as swords, helmets, axes, bows and shields.
A bath house and massage tent welcomes visitors to relax after a long ride.
There will be food booths, beer, wine, mead and other drinks.
The medieval fest is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost €6 for adults and €2 for children. Children shorter than a sword are admitted free. Visitors in medieval costumes pay €4. The ticket for two days is €10.
Oppenheim is located along the Rhein River, on federal street B9, between Worms and Mainz. Look for the parking signs. Shuttle buses take visitors to the fest grounds, which also can be reached by foot within 15 minutes.
For more information, visit the Web site at http://phantasia-historica.de/index.php?id=91.
