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Those who like to masquerade as something else and those who like to dance, can do so for the next four days. That’s how long the “crazy season” Fasching is still going on. Saturday through Tuesday, carnival associations, sports clubs and other groups sponsor funny Fasching sessions, children’s parties, masquerade balls and dances.
Visitors attending masquerade balls, who are not in costumes, might have to pay a higher admission fee. Sometimes, prizes are awarded for the best costumes. Typical Fasching music is played, which also includes some games. Customarily at these events, women ask men for a dance and men are not supposed to reject the offer. Women can also cut in on dances by clapping their hands and “stealing” the man from another woman for the rest of the dance.
***image1***Rose Monday is another highlight with big carnival parades leading through the main Fasching cities of Mainz, Köln and Düsseldorf. Spectators from Germany and throughout Europe come to these cities to watch the annual spectacle with floats, bands, dancing and marching groups. Participants in vehicles throw out candy or hand out drinks to the crowds along the streets. It is traditional for revelers to sing, sway and dance during the five-hour parades which all start at 11:11 a.m.
The official Fasching greeting in Köln and Düsseldorf is “Alaaf,” and in Mainz, it’s “Helau.”
The day is called Rose Monday because the organization committee of the Köln parade, which was founded in 1824, had its general membership meetings on Monday after the so-called Rose Sunday, also known as mid-lent Sunday or Laetare Sunday. Originally this day was the third Sunday before Easter. Since the eleventh century, the Pope dedicated a Golden Rose to a deserved personality on that day. Since 1830, the day was called Rose Monday.
Most Fasching events for children take place Fasching Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. Often, children don’t have school that day. And usually, people who work take off in the early afternoon. In most cases, employers allow them to do so, and stores, banks and official institutions close anyhow at 1 or 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Also, many towns offer outdoor Fasching events. Stages are put up and carnival clubs have their dancers perform and some members give funny speeches.
Traditionally, the Ramstein Fasching parade takes place Shrove Tuesday. At 2 p.m., floats, music bands and walking groups start their 3.25 km route through Ramstein-Miesenbach. There are 1,600 participants which include eight bands, 12 carnival associations and about 100 floats and walking groups. Americans are represented by the U.S. Air Force in Europe Band’s marching band, Ramstein American High School Cheerleaders and step team, Ramstein and Sembach Girl Scouts, the Ramstein Middle School’s Rams Dance Club and the 38th Construction and Training Squadron with a Halloween truck. Food booths are set up throughout the route. The official Fasching shout is “Ralau.” Spectators can also dress up. A little carnival is set up near the town hall.
After the parade, the party continues at the Haus des Bürgers. Spectators must buy a button from vendors on the street and with this button they have free admission to the Fasching party.
In Kaiserslautern, a stage is set up next to Stiftskirche. The local Fasching association, KVK, will present its Fasching princess, dancing groups and club members giving funny speeches and singing. the audience can join the singing, take the next person’s arm and see-saw (rock) to original Fasching music. The official shout is “Kalau.”
On Ash Wednesday, the last get-together of Fasching lovers and carnival association members is the traditional “heringsessen,” eating of herring, as a symbol for the meatless time of Lent starting. Herrings supposedly also help to ease hangovers.
