Three summer days in little residence feature entertainment, food, wine

Kirchheimbolanden will celebrate its 64th annual summer fest called “Residenzfest” (residence fest), Saturday through Monday. The fest, which is also known as “Three summer days in the little residence,” features live music, culinary specialties, wines and a fireworks display.

Kirchheimbolanden is called “the little residence,” because it was the residence of the princes of Nassau-Weilburg for about 400 years. In 1368, it received town rights and that’s when the town wall with town gates and towers were built. The palace, palace garden, ball house, orangery, court church and Baroque houses were built in the 18th century. These buildings reflect the character of the town.

City officials including the mayor and the wine and beer majesties will open “Residenzfest” at 5 p.m. Saturday on Römerplatz.

The first activity, which takes place each year, is the run for children starting at 5:45 p.m. followed by the run for adults at 6 p.m.

In back yards, arcades and around the towers, local clubs and wine-growers will offer wines of the area, other beverages and international and Palatinate food specialties. Visitors can taste liver dumplings with sauerkraut, potato pancakes, vintners’ steaks with fried potatoes, salad with shrimps, fish and game specialties and vegetarian dishes. Sunday will start with a ballet matinee under the motto, “Summer Dreams Dance Around the World,” at 11:15 a.m. in the Schlossgarten (palace garden). Stores will be open 1 to 6 p.m.

An organ concert by Martin Reitzig under the motto, ”Organ-blues, jazz and more,” is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Paulskirche.

The duet Nimm 2 will present piano hits and swing rarities from Billy Joel to Frank Sinatra starting 7 p.m. in the old part of town. A glow-worm and lantern parade leading through the old part of town will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Monday, vintners’ yards will open 6:30 p.m. and offer live music. The band Pirm Jam will play acoustic rock on the stage on Römerplatz at 7 p.m. The summer fest will close with a fireworks display at 10:30 p.m.

Kirchheimbolanden is located north of Kaiserslautern, about 25 kilometers from Sembach on federal street B40. For details, visit
www.donnersberg-touristik.de or www.kirchheimbolanden.de.