Castle fest features medieval market

***image1***The association to support the preservation of Wachtenburg Castle sponsors an anniversary castle fest and medieval market today through Sunday. The traditional castle fest is being celebrated for the 20th time.
A knights’ camp is put up Saturday and Sunday. Craftsmen, vendors and artists take visitors back into the Middle Ages.
Vendors present swords, helmets, bows and arrows as well as jewelry and gems. A silversmith strikes commemoration coins, a stonecutter displays his works and a spinner from the Black Forest shows off his skills.
Artists entertain with rope dancing, oriental dances, medieval singing and magic. Arpad Tacacs from Hungary presents clay flutes in all sizes.
Children can listen to fairy tales and fortune tellers, try out their skills in fighting and rope dancing.
Several groups in the knights’ camp show how they can handle weapons from the Middle Ages such as bows and catapults. The medieval group Legende from Kaiserslautern displays everyday living of former times. Visitors see the gatherings around the fireplace and the cooking pots, show fights with the sword, knights and noble people.
The wine majesties Heike and Simone open the castle fest at 7 p.m. today. The band Magic performs during the evening.
Saturday and Sunday, the medieval market is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday night, the Peppermint Gang plays a variety of music from Buddy Holly, Elvis and the Rolling Stones to German renowned singers.
Net profits of the event will be used to preserve the castle ruins and to renovate several parts of it.
A shuttle bus service is available to take visitors from the train station, Marktplatz and the parking lot in front of the Hotel Goldbächel in Wachenheim to the castle. Buses start running at 6 p.m. today and at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
It is not authorized to park private vehicles near Wachtenburg Castle.
Wachenheim is located along the German Wine Street, south of Bad Dürkheim.