May carnival starts today in Kaiserslautern

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


Kaiserslautern will hold its traditional “Maikerwe,” or May carnival, today through June 6 on the Messeplatz fairgrounds.

More than 140 ride owners and vendors will be available for 11 days to offer their attractions, merchandise and food specialties.

The biggest folks fest of the Westpfalz will officially open with the tapping of the first keg of beer at 6 p.m. today in the bistro tent. As soon as it gets dark, fireworks will be lit.

The carnival will have a variety of rides for adults and children. The “XXL-Swing” with a flying altitude of 45 meters is known to be the biggest swing in the world. Fun in rotating gondolas will be provided by a ride called “Take Off.” Another one called “Sky-Flyer” will offer loopings, and “Musik Express” and “Breakdance” will cause a tickling in the stomach. “Ommi” will confuse the senses, and the “Wild Mouse” will take the whole family on a roller coaster trip. The “Ghost Snake” will give people the creeps on four levels, and “Hollywood Dreamland” will take visitors through fun obstacles.

The giant Ferris wheel, which is the token of every folks fest, will provide a fascinating view over Kaiserslautern. The Ferris wheel is 50 meters high and known as one of the best.

Children can have fun with skills games, at the pony hippodrome and on various merry-go-rounds.

Vendors selling clothes, curtains, jewelry, household items, spices, and arts and crafts items will provide shopping fun until late at night on the “shopping street.”

Beer gardens, the chicken tent, bistros and tents will be available to take care of  hungry and thirsty visitors. Palatinate and international culinary specialties such as crispy chicken, ham hocks, crepes, pizza and fish will be served at the food booths.

Wednesday will be family day with reduced prices and special offers until 7 p.m.

The carnival will close out with a “thank you” fireworks display sponsored by ride owners and vendors around 10 p.m. June 6.

The rides are scheduled to be open from 2 p.m. to midnight each day, and until 1 p.m. from Saturday to Sunday. Some food booths and vendors will open at 11 a.m.

Due to the May carnival, which lures many visitors from all over, the City of Kaiserslautern authorized a Shopping Sunday.

The stores in Kaiserslautern will open their doors from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Parking on public parking lots and in the school yards of Burggymnasium, Paul-Münch-Schule and Barbarossaschule will be free.