Festival of lights

The annual festival of lights in Kaiserslautern’s Volkspark takes place from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday in the Kaiserslautern Volkspark, also known as the duck pond.

The event features musical performances, a fireworks display, children’s activities and a special exhibition.

Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel will officially open the event under the motto “50 years of Volkspark” at 7 p.m. Saturday. The band Transonic will then provide dance and light music, and at 10:30 p.m. a musical fireworks
display will be lit above the duck pond.

The fest continues at 11 a.m. Sunday with the Music Association Kleinsteinhausen, which takes visitors on a musical trip. At noon, an ecumenical worship service will be integrated into the concert taking place in the music pavilion.

The ensemble Wosnitzas Little Jazz Orchestra will present classical sounds at 2 p.m.
The Volker Klimmer Band will close out the two-day event from 6 to 10 p.m. and will invite visitors to dance.

A special exhibition is supposed to honor the park’s 50th anniversary.

“Banners with pictures and information about the history of Volkspark will be hung up in the trees,” said Alexander Hess, chief of the project office for city events.
The lighting will be a special one this year.

“On top of the illumination around the pond, another part of the park and the exhibition will be put in a magic light with the help of air cones in the city colors red and white,” Mr. Hess said.

Children can enjoy a petting zoo with animals from the Kaiserslautern Zoo, an adventure slide and crafting tent. They can also jump on bouncy castles and play soccer. An adventure playground is located near the music pavilion.

Caterers will offer a variety of food specialties and beverages. Throughout the summer, free concerts are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second Sunday. There will be three more in August: Aug. 2, 16 and 30. The final Volkspark concert is
Sept. 13.

(Courtesy of City of Kaiserslautern)