THE
RHINE’S
BIGGEST FUN FAIR
Dusseldorf's Summer Kirmes Fair - July
It’s
a carnival on the Rhine River that’s been taking place
every summer for one-hundred and ten years. Sure, February has its
pre-lent Karnival (see Dusseldorf
Karnival) and beer festivals come
in the fall, but summer on the banks of the Rhine
in Dusseldorf means the spending a little Kirmesgeld – fun fair
money on the arcade and rides until late summer night sunsets. The
Oberkassel Rhine meadows on the flood plain on the left bank of the
Rhine River (Dusseldorf
on the Rhine)
across from the city are transformed into a magic world of the Kirmes
Fun Fair with high-tech fairground
rides and nostalgic whirlabouts, welcoming more than four million attendees
every year.
In
Düsseldorf, the Kirmes Rhine Fair celebrates the day of St Apollinaris
which comes on July 23rd. The martyred saint often shown with his sheep,
was a personal disciple of St Peter and appointed the first Bishop
of Ravenna in Italy during the 2nd Century of the Roman Empire. About
1300
in the middle-ages, Düsseldorf acquired several relics of the
martyr who was run through with a sword under the Emperor Vespasian.
The people
of the Dusseldorf built a beautiful shine in his honor in the Church
of St Lambertus on the Burgplatz in the heart of the Old City, now
with its distinctive twisted spire roof. The origin of the German word
for
fun fair – Kirmes, comes from the Middle High German “Kirchmesse" or
Church Mass. The "Kirmesse" was the term used for the mass
said to consecrate a church, with this event being celebrated annually
in conjunction with a non-religious event, a fair.
The
Dusseldorf summer celebration begins with marching parade ceremonies
of more than 3000 uniformed marksmen, bands, harnessed horse teams
and
carriages, leading to the selection of the King of Marksmen, a tradition
since 1316,
with the founding of the Marksmen Association, the St. Sebastianus
Schützenverein.
The marksman who shoots a dummy bird from a target is awarded the title
of "Schützenkönig". There are titles for young
marksmen from the age of 14 to 23, while members from 6 to 14 years,
the Pages,
can become “Pagenkönig” (King of Pages) for a year.
After the shooting contest, the newly selected kings are formally crowned
at the coronation ball. In the old days, the winners of the title would
get a relief from royal taxes, but today the honor has to suffice.
The
highlight of the Kirmes fair is the fireworks display over
the shimmering waters of the Rhine River, going off around 10:30 nightfall.
One
of the best ways to experience the fireworks in the river cruise boats
on the Rhine. Before the grand finale, a romantic boat trip takes in
the beautiful sights of Düsseldorf from Kaiserswerth to the glistening
Media Harbor before the boat anchors on the river for the start of
the fireworks. Or if you can find a spot and reserve well in advance,
from
the view platform of the Rhine Tower. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Duesseldorf
Tourism - Fun Fair
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Photos courtesy Düsseldorf Marketing.
See Also:
SCHLOSS BENRATH PALACE AND GARDENS
