Barbarossa fest makes Kaiserslautern swing

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


For the eighth time, Kaiserslautern will celebrate its annual Barbarossa fest “Swinging Lautern” Thursday through Sept. 4. In cooperation with the city of Kaiserslautern, local stores and businesses, which are members of the sales promotion agency “Kaiser in Lautern,” will sponsor the event that features an international musical program with swing, blues, boogie, jazz, soul and salsa, various activities, attractions and food in the center of town.

Kaiser in Lautern and the Old Jazz Union will present musical highlights on open-air stages at Altenhof, Schillerplatz, in front of Stiftskirche and on Stiftsplatz.

Bands performing will include the New Orleans Preachers from France, Mysto’s Hot Lips from Sweden, Jens Wimmers Boogie Trio, Doc Houlind’s International New Orleans Band, Present Art Collection, Easy Swing Big Band, and others. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band will have its Check Six ensemble perform from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at Altenhof stage, and Wings of Dixie will play from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 4 in front of Stiftskirche. Several marching bands will walk through the streets.

A kiddie train will give children free rides through the center. The train stops can be found in Riesenstrasse (Heil’s men wear) Thursday, Markstrasse (Pallmannstore) Sept. 3, and Riesenstrasse (Erika leather store) Sept. 4.  Children also can take a ride in a fairy tale merry-go-round on Markstrasse, jump in a bouncy castle and get their faces painted.

Japanese Garden employees will have origami demonstrations and pass out information about their garden.

Visitors can taste all kinds of culinary food specialties from different countries in white pagoda tents around Stiftskirche and at food stands set up on Schillerplatz and Altenhof.

Stores will provide special attractions to include a fashion show, cooking demonstrations, a book market and arts and crafts markets.

A pocket brochure listing the entertaining program is available at the Kaiserslautern Tourist Information office, Fruchthallstrasse, in stores and restaurants, or by visiting www.kaiserslautern.de or www.werbegemeinschaft-kl.de.