Host Nation Update, Aug 3, 2023
Cannstatt Folk Festival – Fruit column is back on the Wasen
After the “Fruchtsaeule” or fruit column has been put up that means that the start of the annual Volksfest is around the corner. The fruit column, the landmark of the folk festival, has been put up on Wednesday on the pavilion in the middle of the fairground.
The managing directors of Meier from “Event floristic” are responsible for the design of the fruit column for the first time this year. “Ever since we were children, the fruit column has accompanied us on our annual visit to the Wasen and served as a meeting place. Therefore, we are very happy to decorate this traditional symbol,” says Stefanie Meier. They had already spent several days decorating the 26-meter-high fruit column, which weighs around three tons, before it was erected. They focused on sunflowers, which are a positive symbol of hope and life. Just like the fruit bowl decorated with pointed cabbages, giant apples and flowers, the sunflowers on the fruit column are also made of plastic. There is a long history behind the fruit column. Already at the first folk festival in 1818, there was a column decorated with fruits, grains and vegetables. Thus, this traditional symbol still reminds us of the origin of the folk festival as an agricultural one. The first fruit column was donated by King Wilhelm I and designed and built by the then Württemberg court architect Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Aug 3)
Cannstatter Volksfest Wasen 2023: The most important dates
Opening ceremony
In keeping with tradition, Lord Mayor Frank Nopper (CDU) will open the largest folk festival in Baden-Württemberg. The official tapping of the barrel will take place on September 22 in “Wilhelmers Schwabenwelt” of the festival host Michael Wilhelmer. Subsequent firecracker shots at the fruit column and bells will give the starting signal for the beer tapping. The time is still to be announced.
Tradition morning
Always on the first Saturday of the folk festival the tradition morning takes place – this year in the festival tent “Almhüttendorf”. “It is intended to reflect the significant history of the largest festival in Baden-Württemberg,” says the organizer’s page. The tradition morning begins at 11 am on September 23. Visitors can expect a program with bands, traditional costumes, folk dances and brass music.
Historical folk festival parade
With more than 3,500 participants from all over Germany, historic vehicles, colorful traditional costume groups and teams of Stuttgart breweries parade through Bad Cannstatt. On September 24, the procession starts at 11 a.m. at the Cannstatt Kursaal and ends at the Wasengelände.
“Spardägle” (money saving day) in combination with the VVS ticket
Starting at 12 o’clock on September 25, all Swabians with a VVS ticket will be able to save money. VVS passengers will receive discounts at all carnies upon presentation of a valid ticket.
Family days
On Wednesdays, the popular family days will take place on September 27 and October 4. All day long, you can save money at carnies, innkeepers and even on parking. In addition, there are numerous surprises for the little ones.
Music fireworks
More than ten minutes of fireworks will ring in the finale of the Volksfest on Sunday, October 8, starting at 9:30 pm. With musical background of current hits, the finale was also in the past years always a well-attended conclusion. (Stgt Nachrichten, Aug 3)
The TV Tower currently closed
“Closed today due to a technical defect.” This simple notice has been on the homepage of Stuttgart’s TV Tower since Wednesday. The reason is learned on request from spokesman Francisco Hoyer. At one of the two elevators, which transport visitors with 18 kilometers per hour in the height, one of the six carrying ropes had opened a little, he explains. This did not affect functionality or safety, he said. The elevators are operated with “twelvefold safety. Nevertheless, in consultation with the elevator company, the decision was made Tuesday evening to take the affected elevator out of service, he said. “The regulations are being adhered to as hard as a bomb,” the spokesman emphasized. On Thursday morning, there will be a meeting with a technician. It is possible that the tower will then be reopened to visitors. However, only the elevator, which is not affected, would then be in operation. One thing is clear: the defective cable must be replaced. The spare parts have been ordered. The repair is scheduled to take place next week. The TV tower would then probably be closed again from Tuesday to Friday. On August 12, there would then be another opportunity to go up to the viewing platform. However, the planning is still preliminary, Hoyo stressed. The TV tower was last visited per day between 750 and 1700 people. (Stgt Nachrichten, Aug 3)
City festival in Esslingen – On Friday the “Estival” begins
The festival (successor of the infamous Zwiebelfest (onion festival) starts on Friday, August 4, at 4 pm. the organizers are prepared for bad weather. There are sufficient possibilities to sit in the dry. The festival canopies with roof tarpaulins offer plenty of protection from wind and weather, and in the outdoor area, some caterers would use pavilions instead of umbrellas: “They are more stable and weatherproof.”
The Estival in Esslingen – Opening hours
The Estival takes place from Friday, August 4, to Wednesday, August 16, on and around the market square in Esslingen. The event will take place daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. The city information office on the market square is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays until 4 p.m. and Sundays until 3 p.m.
Directions: S-Bahn and bus stops are just a few meters from the marketplace, according to the organizers. For motorists, there are about 3,000 parking spaces in underground garages and parking garages around the City Ring. Those arriving by bicycle can use the free bicycle parking areas set up especially for the event at Kleiner Markt and Rathausplatz.
More info is available at https://estival-esslingen.de/ (Stgt Nachrichten, Aug 3)
