Europe’s largest ‘bathtub’ celebrates 100 years

by Willi Ningelgen
Contributing writer


***image1***The largest and one of the oldest European outdoor swimming pools, the “Freibad Waschmühle,” located in a valley in the northern part of Kaiserslautern, is celebrating its 100th anniversary today to Aug. 17 with sports, swimming, fun events, bands, food and beverages.

The outdoor swimming pool is supported by good quality fresh water springs and was opened in 1908. It was considered by all generations in the Kaiserslautern community as their home “bathtub” and “presentation lodge” in summer. It was a “bathtub” with an unbelievably nice, warm and family atmosphere in the past and still is today.

If you have never been at the “Wesch,” as local residents call it, you have never been to the pulse of the local people. The leisure facilities include a 32-foot high diving tower, water slides, a wading pool for toddlers, a climbing area, swings, ping-pong tables, two beach volleyball courts and a small soccer field.    



Schedule highlights

Today
• 3 p.m., American football with the K-Town Pikes team
• 5 to 7 p.m., The Strings, oldies and classic rock music
• 6 p.m., Welcome and festivity opening ceremony by Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel
• 8 to 11 p.m., The Bossa Kings with
Carnival in Rio and Samba

Saturday
• 10 a.m., 24-hours of swimming for everybody; Families with at least three people from two generations could win an award for the longest total swimming distance
• 3 to 6 p.m., Volleyball tournament
• 7 and 7:45 p.m., Square dance presentations with Mike Goff
• 8 to 11 p.m., Big Dig & The Sidechicks, cow-rock and oldies
• 8:30 p.m., Beer barrel rolling/pushing

Sunday
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bigband of Emmerich-Smola Music School
• 1 to 11 p.m., The Voice of Classic Rock, Chamorrodance, Exxes
• 3 to 7 p.m., Mentos splashdiving from the 10-meter (32 feet) high jump tour 

Monday
• 5 to 10 p.m., Filou dance party with DJ Tim

Tuesday
• 6 to 10 p.m., Crime & Passion, acoustic duo with oldie music

Wednesday
• 2 p.m., Skin cancer doctor offers free consulting
• 3 to 5 p.m., Fun program for kids
• 5 to 10 p.m., Caribbean night with DJ Gabo

Thursday
• 5 to 10 p.m., Hertzmusik Dance Floor with DJs Roddy and Mark Keim

Aug. 15
• 4 to 5 p.m., Aqua jogging
• 7 to 11 p.m., RPR Radio Party Zone with live music by Undercover and Markus Becker

Aug. 16
• 3 to 6 p.m., Volleyball tournament
• 5 to 11 p.m., PFALZ OPEN 2008 features the rock band Snailshouse, Menschenskinder, Elli and Keine Zeit and Cane Street. Admission is free.
 
Aug. 17
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dixieland jazz
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., A professional show with wild snakes
• 3:30 to 5 p.m., Desperato El Mariachi, Guitarras Latinas
• 4 to 5 p.m., Aqua jogging    
• 6 to 9:30 p.m., Al Dente, a journey with music through Italy