There are a few facts about the town of Baumholder in the Rhineland-Palatinate that I could spout off easy enough.
For instance, did you know their Weekly Market takes place every Saturday morning and that it starts promptly at 7am? Or that this small town of less than 7,000 residents was once part of Prussia?
But, did you know that Baumholder is home to the United States Army? OK, so maybe Elvis or some other famous hotshot wasn’t stationed here (Elvis was in Friedberg (Hesse) and Grafenwöhr) — yet I don’t really think that matters.
Baumholder is cheery enough; any place that holds a Umwelttag (Environment Day, end of March) is Aces to me. Then again, any place with as many festivals and markets as Baumholder offers is Aces. ;-)
What are some of those festivals and markets? I’m so glad you asked — give me a minute to make sure I don’t forget any. Deep breath…
OK, come February (or so) when there’s Carnival, followed by the Maypole Festivities on May 1st, I already mentioned the Environment Day — so let’s mention the Kirmes (a Church Festival) in September instead, ending with the obligatory Christmas Market in early December.
Ah-ha, I think I got them all.
What I didn’t mention was the cross-country skiing trails, the mountain biking paths, the canoeing, the Parrot Farm, and ooohhh — the swimming pond with its own sand beach that makes an awesome ice skating venue in winter. Plus, camping is big at the lake from April to October; and will only cost you a few Euro per night.
And I couldn’t forget about the Night Watchman tours that start at the Place du Warcq. These are great. Not only do you get to see places like Baumholder’s Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) built like four centuries ago (and doubles as a Local History Museum), but also to see its medieval fortification wall (called a Stadtmauer), and its 19th century Sts. Simon & Judas Thaddäus Church.
Whether you’re here because you’re stationed by the U.S. military, visiting loved ones, or just passing through — I think you’ll really like it. Even if Elvis or some other hotshot wasn’t here before you.
