Volksfest returns to Grafenwoehr, Aug. 1-3

By Jeremy S. Buddemeier, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Public AffairsAugust 1, 2014

I left my herz in Grafenwoehr
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- The fact that local businesses started advertising for after parties a month before the event should tell you something: the 56th Annual German-American Volksfest will be bigger and better this year with food, carnival rides and entertainment the entire weekend, Aug. 1-3.

The festivities will kick off Friday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m., and visitors will enjoy reduced prices on rides until 8 p.m.

If you've never been to a fest of this size, think state fair meets an outdoor concert, but with a distinct Bavarian kick. Food, from steaks to schnitzel and gyros to crepes, will be available, along with midway games and live entertainment.

Music and entertainment

In addition to DJs and karaoke during the day, "Amokoma," a pop / Top-40 band, will hit the stage Friday from 6-10 p.m., while "Season Four" will rock out Saturday from 6-10 p.m. "The Molly Ringwalds" will wrap up each night from 10-11:30 p.m. with their take on popular '80s tunes.

Country music fans should prep their boots and dinner-plate size belt buckles for the "Rick Allen Band" on Sunday from 5-9 p.m.

Getting there

More than 100,000 people attended the last volksfest, and this year looks to be even bigger. Here are a few tips for navigating to and from the fest the smart way.

Simply put, take one of the free shuttle buses.

Michael Kreis, chief of law enforcement, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Directorate of Emergency Services, has worked the fest for the past few years and offered this advice:

"There are two reasons to take the bus to the fest: German polizei and MPs will be conducting heightened enforcement and looking for drunk drivers, and there will be a finite amount of parking near the fest, resulting in delays of about two to three hours just to get in."

Kreis said traffic was backed up on B299 for a half mile in either direction outside Gate 6 for the last fest.

On-post buses:

Tower Barracks-Volksfest buses will depart the Tower Barracks Exchange every 15-30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Patrons must present an ID card to ride this bus.

The Rose Barracks-Volksfest bus will run from the Rose Barracks Exchange, make a stop at the Dining Facility (Bldg. 603), and proceed to the fest. Buses will depart beginning at 10:30 a.m. and run about every hour.

Off-post buses:

Off-post buses will run frequently from 11 a.m. until the fest closes from the following locations in Grafenwoehr. Parking is available in the immediate vicinity.

1. The commercial center across from Gate 6 (near the Roadside Diner and military car sales)

2. Deutsche Post near Gate 1

3. Grafenwoehr Rathaus

4. Parking lot near the Mega Play / Waldbad (on New 16 / Diessfurter Str. near Gate 3)

Getting the gates straight

Drivers in the local area should expect delays on B299 between Grafenwoehr and Tanzfleck. Those accessing post can also expect delays at Gate 6.

During the fest weekend, all traffic between Tower and Rose Barracks must use B299 unless drivers have a fest pass, which allows access to Chancellorsville Road (between Gate 9 (shoppette) and Gate 4 (Tanzfleck)).

If you do plan to drive to the fest (again, most experts recommend against it), be advised it could take some time to enter and exit the fest. All inbound fest traffic will enter via Gate 6 and exit via Gate 4.

For example, a festgoer who drives in from Eschenbach will enter Gate 6 but must leave from Gate 4 (Tanzfleck), most likely having to fight traffic on B299 toward Grafenwoehr to return to Eschenbach that evening.

Solution: Take the bus at one of the off-post stops or at the Exchange.

Note: The use of Chancellorsville Road (between gates 9 and 4) will be limited to fest pass holders (those actually working the fest).

In addition, One Community Road (from Gate 4 (Tanzfleck) to Gate 2, the back gate at Rose Barracks) will remain open until the fest closes.

For more information on shuttle buses and general fest information, visit http://www.grafenwoehr.army.mil/volksfest.asp.

Related Links:

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USAG Bavaria Facebook

USAG Bavaria Flickr

USAG Bavaria website

Shuttle bus and general info

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53rd Annual Volksfest photos

Photos from this year's fest

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