Unterwegs – May 23, 2025

RHEINLAND-PFALZ-TAG 2025 (STATE FAIR)

MAY 23 – 25, CITY CENTER, NEUSTADT/WEINSTRASSE

The biennial State Fair is taking place in Neustadt/Weinstrasse this year, where the city is also celebrating 750 years of city rights. Festivities start on Friday afternoon and run through Sunday. The 86th Airlift Wing will participate with a Robodog display on Saturday at “Platz der Streikräfte” (military display area), along with armored vehicles from 21 TSC and the Bundeswehr. There will be smaller parades throughout town all weekend, a family day with children’s activities on Sunday, and cultural and scenic displays of communities in Rheinland-Pfalz. Visitors are advised to best take a train from the KMC.

GERMAN-AMERICAN SPORTS FESTIVAL

MAY 23, 1.30 – 4.30 P.M., HAUPTSTRASSE 86D, MEHLINGEN

The state program “Welcome to Rheinland-Pfalz!” together with the Mehlingen community, the Sergeant Morales Club, the BurgGymnasium Kaiserslautern, and the local Sports Club NMB Mehlingen will offer a day full of fun, action, and community spirit at the German-American Sports Festival! The event will take place on Friday, May 23 with a soccer tournament including U.S. and local teams as the main event. Expect a bouncy castle, a life-sized human foosball game, a display of service vehicles, a basketball court, food & drinks, a family-friendly atmosphere, and much more! For more details visit www.welcome-to-rlp.org/events.

MAIKERWE (CARNIVAL)

MAY 23 – JUNE 2, MESSEPLATZ, KAISERSLAUTERN

Once again, the Messeplatz is host to the largest carnival and fair in the region. Rides for kids and adults, food and drinks, fun for the family and music in the fest tents. Sunday shopping on May 25, fireworks will round off the eleven fun-filled days on Monday, June 2 at about 10 p.m.

WEINFEST AUF DEM MARKTPLATZ

MAY 23 – 24, MARKET SQUARE, RAMSTEIN

Enjoy a sip of wine in the spring sunshine at the colorful market square in Ramstein.

KONZERT IM VOLKSPARK

MAY 25, 11 A.M. – 2 P.M., VOLKSPARK, KAISERSLAUTERN

Enoy a series of outdoor concerts in Volkspark with alternating genres. Classic, but also catchy tunes to traditional music will be offered every second Sunday morning. Further dates: June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20, Aug. 3, 17, 31, Sept. 14.

THAI FESTIVAL

MAY 24 – 25, KOCHSCHEN MARKT, KUSEL

Also new is the Thai festival, which will take place on May 24th and 25th at the Kochschen Markt and which will also be organized by an external organizer from the district. According to Mayor Heß, visitors can expect Thai specialties with various levels of spiciness. There are also dance and martial arts demonstrations.

ASCENSION DAY

MAY 29, PUBLIC HOLIDAY, GERMANY-WIDE

Thursday, May 29, is Ascension Day, a public holiday based on a religious background. It is also known as German “Fathers’ Day”, where you may spot groups of jolly young people travelling around with hand wagons. All public offices and shops are closed to observe the holiday.

ESCAPE EVASION AND REMEMBRANCE MARCH

JUNE 6, 6 P.M., WALDSEE-KASEMATTE/ETSCH

A must-experience 24-hour and 100-kilometer march for those interested in history. The start will be in Waldsee (about 1 hour from Ramstein AB) with the finish at the Maginot Lines at Kasematte Esch in France. There you will find a bunker complex with museum where the U.S. Amry fought a hard battle in the last days of WWII. The march, in the style of a 100-kilometer escape and evasion march, is in remembrance of all soldiers, regardless of their nationality, for the sacrifices made, during the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.

German service members will walk side-by-side with civilians in this 24-hour challenge. The German Landeskommando of the Bundeswehr advertised the march and many have already registered.

They cordially invite American service members and civilians of the Kaiserslautern Military Community to participate in the name of international understanding. If 100-kilometers are too long, shorter routes are also possible. Marching together in remembrance is the main pillar of this project/challenge.

Four paratroopers will jump at the start and the mayor of Waldsee will also join and release 12 white “Pigeons of Peace.” Further information and registration at: erik.wieman@gmail.com  (English speaking).

FIELD SERVICE WITH MOTORCYCLE BLESSING

MAY 24, 10 A.M. – 7 P.M., RK-HEIM/STEINBRUCH, HÜTSCHENHAUSEN

The Reservist Association Westpfalz are organizing a field service with a German style barbecue, drinks, and coffee and cake starting at 10 a.m. During the service motorcycles and their riders will be blessed. The event is also under the motto “We who served” and U.S. veterans, active-duty members and families are invited to attend, whether biker or not. The field service will start at 1:30 p.m. For more information, see Page 14.

COME ALONG WITH US – SIGHTSEEING TOURS 2025

MAY 23/VARIOUS DATES, TOURIST INFO KAISERSLAUTERN

What’s the best way to get to know your new town? Listening closely while you walk around! The City of Kaiserslautern is offering a series of old and new discovery tours around the town in English. Tours included Casimir Saal and the underground tunnels, the hidden history of Kaiserslautern’s breweries on May 23, a guided historical walk, a guided cemetery tour, K-Town for kids, Hohenecken castle and special events during the holiday season. Individual tours for groups can also be arranged. For detailed information, flyer and individual dates visit: www.kaiserslautern.de, search “Come along with us.” Registration for all tours is required at: touristinformation@kaiserslautern.de