What’s the saying? Some days the bear eats you, and other days you eat bear. OK, I might not have it exact; but something close enough. But, what’s this all got to do with the town of Velden (Vils)?
It’s kinda simple, really. Sometimes a town eats you, and others you eat it. No, I’m just fooling around — but this is how my sometimes crazy brain works. The saying got me to thinking about food. And where else can you find the very best of German cuisine?
Right you are, at one of its festivals.
There are more festivals and markets in this little town, located on the Vils River around 30km south of Landshut, than you could possibly imagine. I’ll try to do them all in order, and ask for your forgiveness if I don’t.
When Spring awakes after a cold Winter slumber, you can look forward to the Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) in April, that includes a Horse Market too. In case you miss this one, there’s another in early May. And at the end of May Velden holds its Fischerfest, or Fisherman’s Festival.
Also at the end of May is its Pfingstmarkt, or Pentecost Market. It follows the Christian calendar, so it changes. The biggest of all of Velden’s festivals is its Volksfest.
I say its big, ’cause it’s a ten day affair with all around dancing, drinking, shopping, eating and more drinking event.
How do you follow something like that? Simple. You add in a Village Festival (Dorffest in German) at the end of June, a Summer Festival in early July, smattered with a Petersmarkt, a Forest Festival (Waldfest), and end with yet another Summer Festival at the end of the month.
Stick around, we’re not anywhere near done yet. August has its Summer Festival, as well as Velden’s Lorenzimarkt, and a Parish Church Festival.
Nope, still not done partying in Velden. September is the month for the Herbstfest and a Weinfest. A week after the Wine Festival is the White Wine and Beer Festival.
September closes out with the Autumn Market, only to have the Michaelimarkt and another Wine Festival in October.
It’s quiet for a little while, but then it gets going again in early December for its Christmas Markets. Yes, that’s plural, since Velden has more than one.
All these markets and festivals don’t leave much time for traditional sightseeing, but if you got time for one thing — make sure it’s the St. Peter Church, built in 1450 with a tower that hovers at 64 meters.
No, make the the Church of St. Lambert, a late Gothic design from 1507. Ohh, maybe I should have said the Outdoor Museum with all the sculptures.
Ah, go see them all — I’m sure you can work it in between festivals. ;-)
