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Editor’s Note: This article was published in a previous edition of the Kaiserslautern American and the information has been updated to reflect this year’s event.
Kaiserslautern’s traditional “Oktoberkerwe,” or October carnival, will start Oct. 19 and continue through Oct. 29. More than 140 ride owners and vendors will offer their attractions and merchandise at Messeplatz fairgrounds.
The amusement park will open at 5 p.m. and the official opening with tapping the first keg of beer will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the big fest tent. When it’s dark, around 9 p.m., a firework show will signal the start of the 11-day event.
Oktoberkerwe will offer a variety of rides for adults and children. Experience “Godzilla” with a speed of 120 kmh, 4.5G and at a height of 46 meters. Carnival-goers with strong nerves can get the creeps in the “Ghost Adventure,” which is a mix of haunted house and rollercoaster. A giant swing called “King” provides surges of adrenalin at a height of 27 meters. A nostalgic Ferris wheel offers visitors a view from a height of 45 meters “Breakdance” and “Musik Express” will offer speed and sound.
Children can have fun with skills games and taking rides on ponies, in miniscooters and merry-go-rounds. The skills booths will offer archery, fishing or throwing cans.
Beer gardens, bistros and various tents will lure hungry and thirsty visitors. Palatinate and international culinary specialties will be sold at the food booths.
The “shopping street” will take visitors on a shopping trip. Until late at night they can buy a variety of merchandise to include jewelry, clothes, curtains, household items, leather goods, spices and arts and crafts items.
Family day with reduced prices and special offers until 7 p.m. is scheduled for Oct. 24. Numerous rides and vendors will offer Dollar Day Oct. 26 with an exchange rate of $1 = €1.
The ride owners and vendors want to say Thank You to their customers with a colorful fireworks display around 9 p.m. Oct. 29 to close out the event.
The rides will be open 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day, and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Some food booths and vendors will start selling their specialties and merchandise at 11 a.m. each day.
Traditionally, on the first Sunday during Oktoberkerwe, stores will be open. Sunday shopping will be possible 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the stores in the center of town and in the industrial parks.
