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Visitors of the charcoal burners and smithy fest in Trippstadt can watch craftsmen presenting their crafts and works Saturday and Sunday.
Trippstadt will celebrate its annual “Kohlenbrennerfest,” charcoal burners’ fest, Saturday and Sunday. Besides the traditional burning of charcoal, the fest includes demonstrations of old craftsmanship, displays, children’s activities and live music.
Members of local clubs and associations will be in charge of demonstrating the burning of charcoal.
Traditionally, a week prior to the event, they pile up huge amounts of wood to build a coal kiln. A kind of chimney is surrounded by many sticks and covered with turf. The brushwood in the chimney is lit and the kiln starts burning. Then the charcoal burners watch the burning, day and night, for up to a week, keeping the air outside the kiln.
If the smoke coming out is blue, the burning process is correct. After the burning, the kiln falls down. The big charcoal pieces are chopped up, the others are raked, and all is collected and packaged.
During the fest, the whole process will be demonstrated again. One kiln will be built, another will burn, and a third will already be burnt down. Visitors can buy the charcoal.
Mayor Manfred Stahl will officially open the event 5 p.m. Saturday near the coal kiln, which will be lit. Charcoal burning master Hans Wagner will give information and explanations on the burning process.
Festivities with musical entertainment will also take place on Hauptstrasse. Local clubs and restaurants will serve regional food specialties in their yards.
A special exhibition called “The Tree in the Landscape,” will be displayed in the Eisenhüttenmuseum (iron works museum).
Sunday, activities will begin at 11 a.m. with an ecumenical worship service. The traditional smithy fest with smiths from all over Germany and neighboring countries will start at 11 a.m. in the Schmiede Huber. Goldsmiths and silversmiths will demonstrate and show their fine and elaborate works.
A children’s flea market will be set up on Hauptstrasse, and at 1 p.m. children can get involved in special kids’ activities.
Until 6 p.m. visitors can listen to music, taste food specialties and enjoy the display in the museum.
All year around, the Trippstadt Tourist Information office sells charcoal.
Trippstadt is an official health resort town because of its good climate and oxygen-rich air. It is located within a wooded area, on a hill, 400 meters above sea level, 12 kilometers south of Kaiserslautern.
