Fest demonstrates old craftsmanship

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


The Otterberg forestry office and the villages of Hochspeyer, Frankenstein and Waldleiningen will sponsor, in cooperation with local associations, the 10th Triftfest, drifting fest, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Biedenbacher Woog (pond) in the Leinbach Valley.

Families with children, senior citizens, equestrians, hikers and bicyclists will experience how the drifting of timber worked about 150 years ago.

Drifting timber is the transportation of wood on the water.

“Three times throughout the day, visitors can watch demonstrations showing how the wood was transported on creeks through the Leinbach Valley,” said Sabine Tie from the tourist office in Hochspeyer. “So-called drifting menials let the rafters’ craftsmanship revive and give historical explanations of the cultural background.” Show driftings will take place at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. In between waggoners from the region will give a crack of their whips to entertain the audience.

“Just like last year, children can test their wood scarving skills, participate in a duck race and win great prizes,” Tie said. Adults and children will have the possibility to climb up trees and learn about the forest.

“This year we offer two guided hikes to the gigantic Altals rock above the Leinbach Valley,” said Tie. The hikes are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Interested hikers can register at the stand of the Pfälzerwald Tourist Center. Members of local associations will serve grilled game specialties, Palatinate delicacies, beverages, coffee and homemade cake.

The Biedenbacher Woog is located between Frankenstein and Waldleiningen. Visitors can get there by foot, bicycle, on horse, or in carriages. They can park their vehicles at the Frankenstein train station or the Waldleiningen sewage plant (Kläranlage) and enter a shuttle bus for a small fee.

It is not possible to drive in privately owned vehicles to the fest area.

For more information and directions, contact Tie at

06305-71147 or e-mail s.tie@Hochspeyer.rlp.de.