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Kaiserslautern will hold its traditional “Oktoberkerwe,” or October carnival, today through Oct. 26 on the Messeplatz fairgrounds. More than 140 ride owners and vendors will offer their attractions, merchandise and food specialties.
The history of carnivals in Kaiserslautern goes back to March 1571, when Emperor Maximilian II granted the city the right to hold two cattle markets each year. Travelers flocked to town for this event and the traditional “Kerwe,” or carnival, which nowadays is held in May and October, started to develop.
Since World War II, the “Lautrer Kerwe,” which now sees about 200,000 visitors, has had the reputation of being the biggest folks fest in the Westpfalz.
Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel will open Oktoberkerwe by tapping the first keg of beer at 6 p.m. today in the bistro tent. When it’s dark, around 9 p.m., a fireworks display will light up the sky.
The carnival features a variety of rides for adults and children. Carnival-goers can find excitement and speed on rides called Stargate, Shake, Taiga-Jet and the Flying Carpet. The Wild Mouse is this year’s rollercoaster, and Jupiter, the giant Ferris wheel, will provide a nice view from a height of more than 160 feet.
Children can play skills games and take rides on miniscooters and merry-go-rounds. The riding salon Golden West will offer rides on ponies.
Beer gardens, the chicken tent and the bistro and wine tents will lure hungry and thirsty visitors. Palatinate and international culinary specialties, such as crispy chicken, ham hocks, crepes, pizza and fish, will also be available at the food booths.
The “shopping street” will take visitors on a shopping trip. Until late at night, shoppers can buy a variety of merchandise including clothes, curtains, household items, leather goods, jewelry, spices and arts and crafts items.
A special party with groovy music will be held for people over 40 Tuesday. Family day with reduced prices and special offers until 7 p.m. is scheduled for Wednesday. A tent festival with live music will take place Oct. 23.
The ride owners and vendors will say good-bye to their customers with a fireworks display after 9 p.m. Oct. 26. The rides are open from 2 to 11 p.m. each day and until midnight Saturdays. Some food booths and vendors open at 11 a.m. each day. Like every year, stores in Kaiserslauten will open from 1 to 6 p.m. the first Sunday during the October carnival.
The city offers a direct bus transfer from the Kaiserslautern Hauptbahnhof (main train station) to the Messeplatz fairgrounds and back. Every 30 minutes from 1 to 6:30 p.m. special buses will take passengers from Bussteig A (bus gate A) to Messeplatz. Buses taking passengers from the carnival back to the train station will run from 1:15 to 6:15 p.m.
