October carnival returns to K-town

***image1***Kaiserslautern’s traditional “Oktoberkerwe,” or October carnival, takes place today through Oct. 27. A big amusement park with more than 140 rides and vendors offering their attractions is set up on the Messeplatz fairgrounds.

The history of carnivals in Kaiserslautern goes back to March 1571, when Emperor Maximilian II granted the town of Kaiserslautern the right to hold two cattle markets each year.

For this event, traveling people came to town, and the traditional “Kerwe,” or carnival, which nowadays is held in May and October, started to develop. Since World War II, the “Lautrer Kerwe” with about 200,000 visitors today, has the reputation of being the biggest folks fest in the Westpfalz.

Kaiserslautern’s Deputy Mayor Dr. Susanne Wimmer-Leonhardt opens the event by tapping the first keg of beer at 6 p.m. in the bistro tent. When it’s dark, around 9 p.m.,  a fireworks display will light up the sky.

The carnival offers a variety of rides for adults and children. A special attraction is a ride called “Extrem.” It is 40 meters high and 110 kilometers per hour. Other fast rides are “Vortex” and “Shake.”

Traditional rides are the rollercoaster and the giant Ferris wheel, which features a special lights installation. A simulations facility called “U 3000” takes visitors into the deep sea. While the audience is watching a movie, the submarine is moving along with the pictures. The “Omni” is a set-up where visitors can experience optical illusions.

Children can have fun with skills games and taking rides in miniscooters and merry-go-rounds. The skills booths offer archery, fishing or throwing cans.
Beer gardens, the chicken tent, and the bistro and wine tent lure hungry and thirsty visitors. Palatinate and international culinary specialties such as crispy chicken, ham hocks, crepes, pizza and fish are also available at the food booths.

The “shopping street” takes visitors on a shopping trip. Until late at night they can buy a variety of merchandise including jewelry, clothes, curtains, household items, leather goods, spices and arts and crafts items. Wednesday is family day with reduced prices and special offers until 7 p.m.

The ride owners and vendors say thank you to their customers with a colorful fireworks display after 9 p.m. Oct. 27.

The rides are open 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day, and until midnight Saturdays. Some food booths and vendors open at 11 a.m. each day.