Gartenschau presents ‘four elements’

The Gartenschau Kaiserslautern, also known as dinosaur park, is now open through Oct. 31.

This year’s motto is “The four elements,” and flowerbeds and flower shows will represent fire, water, air and earth.

The Gartenschau features various gardens, including a rose garden, cactus garden, rhododendron garden, bible garden and dance garden on an area of 55 acres.

More flowers and plants representing the four elements can be seen in the flower hall.

Besides flowers, visitors can enjoy exhibitions, activities, entertainment and dinosaurs.

The interactive exhibition “T-shirts, bags and tensides” will highlight sustainable chemistry. “Tensides,” or surfactants in English, are substances, such as detergents, that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and allow it to foam or penetrate solids. Visitors will be able to experience the cohesion of everyday products and chemical procedures at nine stations from May 25 to Oct. 12 in the exhibition hall.

The “Art Forum” display presents renowned artists and craftsmen, including painters, graphic artists, sculptors, stone masons, potters, glass blowers and textile designers, who will demonstrate their works and skills. Like in recent years, the willow church on Kaiserberg hill offers worship services at 11 a.m. Sundays as well as wedding and christening ceremonies. Also on Kaiserberg hill is an area to relax with a barefoot path consisting of 10 stations inviting visitors for meditation.

Other attractions are the dinosaur models and several playgrounds with a sliding tower and pirate ship, a skate rink, soccer field, beach volleyball field and a new adventure miniature golf court in Neumühlepark.

The Kaiserslautern Gartenschau also presents numerous musical events, children’s programs, family festivals, markets and guided tours.

Daily admission times are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and during German school breaks.

Daily tickets cost €7 for adults and €3 for children. The family ticket costs €17. Children up to 6 years old are free. Season tickets for at least two adults and their children costs €45 for the whole season; the price for singles is €35. Customers of the Kaiserslautern City Works, known as SWK, get reduced prices.

The Gartenschau ticket is also valid for the Japanese Garden, which is down the road on Lauterstrasse. For more information, visit www.gartenschau-kl.de or call 0631-71007-00.