Zweibruecken celebrates Halloween

by Petra Lessoing 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Halloween activities take place in front of the “Schloss,” or “palace,” in Zweibruecken Saturday and Monday. — Courtesy photos

Due to the German holiday Reformation Day on Tuesday,  Zweibruecken will sponsor its traditional Halloween spectacle with a parade starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday on Hallplatz.

Actually, the city will start to offer activities under the motto, “Halloween,” on Saturday when visitors come to the city center for shopping.

Also, on Sunday, stores will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday. Children can join pumpkin carving, jump on a bouncy castle or take a ride on a fairy tale merry-go-round on Schlossplatz. They also will have the chance to take part in arrow throwing or turning the fortune wheel.

A vendor market will be set up on Alexanderplatz.  In the walking areas, food stands will serve hot dogs, witches cakes, crepes and magic drinks.

The weekly flea market will be on Herzogplatz and not on Schlossplatz.

Shuttle buses will be available to transport customers to and from different shopping locations in the center of town, the Hilgard-Center and the Outlet-Center. On all three days, horse-drawn carriages will offer free rides between the Hilgard-Center and the center of town.

On Monday, scary activities will start at 3 p.m. on Schlossplatz. There will be a monster castle and dragonhead where children can join a scary test of courage. The German Child Protection Federation will present a monster show at 4 p.m. in its tent.

Spectacle start on Hallplatz will be at 5:30 p.m. near the fountain with a performance by the dance group Traumzeit. Scary figures accompanied by musicians and people in costumes will then walk in a monster parade to Schlossplatz. Fire magicians will show off their skills in front of the “Schloss,” or “palace,” and a fireworks display will be lit on the grounds..

A photographer of a local newspaper will go around and take photos of persons in original costumes and with nicely painted faces from 5 to 7 p.m. The 20 best costumes will be published in the newspaper.

Horse-drawn carriages offer free rides during the Halloween spectacle Saturday through Monday in Zweibruecken.
Children enjoy Halloween activities such as the monster castle starting at 3 p.m. Monday in Zweibruecken.