Gather, dance, and honor: the Giengen Children's Carnival
Let's Hype Giengen's Children's Festival!
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Got a hankering for fun after Whit Monday? Head to Giengen an der Brenz, a district town in Heidenheim, where the annual Children's Festival goes down! But don't be fooled by the name - it's a bash for all residents, young and old alike!
Every year on the Tuesday following Whit Monday, the city hosts its Old-Time Children's Festival. With roots dating back over 300 years, this isn't your average kiddie gig!
Marching to the Shooting Hill
Taking over the town with vibrant decorations and spring blossoms adorning children's heads, the Children's Festival paints the district town of Heidenheim in a vibrant hue. The city prep areas with shuttered shops and closed cafes, while temporarily blocking off some streets for the festival site on the Shooting Hill, between the sports field and swimming pool.
With onlookers already gathering at the town hall in the morning, the festival begins with a tantalizing spectacle: a children's parade that wends its way through the town, up to the Shooting Hill. Rousing music and the boom of cannon fire often herald its start.
Grown-ups Join the Fun
But here's a twist - the parade isn't reserved solely for the little ones. Hundreds of adults mingle with the children, forming groups based on age milestones. Ten-year reunions play a significant role in the festivities, with some attendees in their 90s!
"It's all about sharing memories, meeting up and catching up," a visitor shared. "It doesn't matter where some folks live, they aim to come every ten years for the celebration. It's lovely to see old faces again." One ex-resident noted, "I traveled all the way from Munich to see my old buddies here at the festival."
For this visitor, the Children's Festival was a "big highlight" back in the day, and she often took home prizes during the prize dance.
Prize Dance Time
Speaking of which, the biggest event on the festival agenda is the grand Prize Dance. Immediately following the parade, children form a large circle around a stage, where the Giengen city orchestra takes position. The dance resembles a frenetic version of musical chairs, where children attempt to transport large sticks from station to station while music plays.
Mayor Henle signals the start by igniting a fuse with a burning cigar. As long as the fuse burns, the city orchestra plays a lively melody. When the fuse goes up in smoke, the orchestra abruptly stops, and the children holding the sticks can claim gifts, such as footballs or plush toys, from a central prize table. Multiple rounds of the Prize Dance ensure that as many children as possible walk away with new loot!
Carousel Fun & Competitions
Then the festival really heats up, with attractions like the carousel, bumper cars, and numerous other games enticing children. Making memories, that's what it's all about!
Seven-year-old Leonie sums it up perfectly: "The Children's Festival is awesome!" she enthused, smiling from ear to ear while out with her grandparents.
For many locals, the festival is a must-attend event, one visitor noted. "If you're a Giengen native, it's part of your life, like everyday living." The festival includes various competitions, with school classes going head-to-head in activities like tug-of-war, sack racing, and egg rolling.**
Mayor Henle takes pride in the traditional Children's Festival, noting its existence for at least "366 years". He considers it a chance for people in Giengen to come together as "a festival of peace and a feeling of belonging". He hopes that the Children's Festival sends a message of peace out into the world, even though maintaining peace can be challenging at times.
After soaking up the fun during Whit Monday, consider heading to the Home-and-Garden section of your lifestyle for a taste of the Old-Time Children's Festival in Giengen an der Brenz. Amidst the vibrant decorations and blossoms, the festival features a grand Prize Dance, carousel rides, and various competitions that everyone, young and old, can enjoy. The lifestyle of Giengen residents is enriched by this annual tradition, seen as a must-attend event for many locals, offering a sense of unity and togetherness.
