Farmers market offers regional products, craftsmanship demonstrations

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


For the 16th year, the Rheinland-Pfalz Agricultural Chamber of Kaiserslautern and the City of Ramstein-Miesenbach will sponsor their annual farmers market Sunday, a day when Germans celebrate their Thanksgiving. The market will feature more than 30 farmers and vendors presenting their products, an animal show, a historical tractor display, demonstrations, and musical entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stores will be open from 1 to 6 p.m.

The farmers market will officially open at 10:30 a.m. in the Haus des Bürgers. A festive Thanksgiving worship service will follow, supported by the Children’s and Youth Choir of Ramstein-Miesenbach, the Hunting Horn Blowers from Kusel, and the choir AIBaSoTe Oldies from the Kusel Music School.

“The farmers market is a steady item in our local calendar of events,” said Stefan Layes from the City of Ramstein-Miesenbach. “It is known throughout the Pfalz and even lures visitors from other areas. They know they get good homemade products here.”

The listing of fresh products for sale and to eat on the spot includes beef, lamb and pork meat; meat from game; potato dishes; fish specialties; bratwurst; frikadellen; chicken; dairy products, such as yoghurt, cheese and butter; honey products, including honey, honey wine and honey liquor; wurst; eggs; pasta; and baked goods.

Visitors will also have a choice of schnaps, liquors and wine.

Other items, such as arts and crafts, garden ceramics, wooden household tools, toys, knitted products and decoration items, will complete the wide range of products vendors will offer.

Nutrition advisers will pass out information and give tips about the right snack during breaks in kindergarten and school in the foyer of the town hall.
The agricultural chamber will present the various grains growing in the fields. Brave visitors can put their hands into touching boxes to feel the different grains without seeing them.

A sheep shearer will demonstrate how to shear sheep, and a spinner will show them what to do with the wool.

Visitors can watch a basket weaver making various sizes of baskets, a potter creating his items and a lace maker presenting her skills. The wooden stove baker is looking forward to helping children make bread in the children’s bakery.
Children can also enjoy pony riding, face painting and a petting zoo.

Old tractors will be lined up on Miesenbacher Strasse.

 “We also offer a farmers quiz, where participants can win fine prizes,” Layes said. Proceeds from the quiz will be donated to the Youth Red Cross and a local kindergarten.

 “We hope the weather will be good and a lot of visitors come to our farmers market, which is our second biggest market after Wendelinusmarket, scheduled for Oct. 27 and 28,” Layes said.

The center of town will be closed to motorized traffic from 2 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.