Neustadt celebrates end of wine fest season

Neustadt along the German Wine Street celebrates the German Wine Harvest Fest today through Oct. 11. The event is considered as annual highlight of Germany’s wine fest season.

Vintners say the German Wine Harvest Fest is their Thanksgiving. Their work for the old season is done, and the new season with new wines will start.

The fest is well-known for the little reconstructed wine village set up across from the Neustadt train station. It is made of little framework houses called “Haiselscher,” (Palatinate dialect meaning little houses) and booths, where local wines and food specialties are sold. A typical seasonal specialty offered is onion cake served with new wine called “Federweisser.”

A carnival with rides and vendors’ booths is set up in front of the train station.

Highlight of the German Wine Harvest Fest is Germany’s biggest vintners’ parade featuring decorated floats, music bands and costume groups at 2 p.m. Oct. 10.

The fest closes out with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11.