An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Better in Bavaria Week: Nordgautag 2024

By Milena Felkl, USAG Bavaria Public Affairs InternJune 12, 2024

Better in Bavaria Week: Nordgautag 2024 // Historic Nordgau visits Grafenwöhr, USAG Bavaria with multi-day festival, parade
(Photo Credit: Ella Haendel) VIEW ORIGINAL

TOWER BARRACKS, Germany – Nordgautag, a biannual celebration of the historic region of Nordgau, is set to take place this year with Stadt Grafenwöhr as host and with American-German partnership as its focus June 20 through 23.

This longstanding traditional festival takes place every other year in various towns in the Upper Palatinate and features a mix of cultural activities, musical performances, and more.

One of the highlights of the festivities is the Nordgautag Parade through Grafenwöhr June 23. The parade will include groups from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment. The parade starts at 2 p.m. and is expected to reach Gate 1 around 2:15 p.m. for a quick foray onto post and around the traffic circle on Gettysburg Ave.

The Nordgautag was initially established to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage of the region, formerly called the “Nordgau,” by bringing together communities to participate in various activities and festivities. It has been a central festive event for the preservation of local history with the aim of maintaining and fostering a sense of cultural togetherness in the Upper Palatinate and the former Nordgau since 1927.

The event has been held in different Upper Palatinate towns, such as Amberg, Weiden, Regensburg, Vohenstrauss, Sulzbach-Rosenberg and Schwandorf.

The motto of the 44th Nordgautag is “Oberpfalz meets America – Home away from Home,” emphasizing the relationship between Grafenwöhr and the military training area and highlighting the diversity and multiculturalism of the Upper Palatinate.

Starting June 20, a variety of events will be offered every day featuring a combination of cultural events with local specialties.

For a list of all the events visit the Grafenwöhr Nordgautag website. Events marked with a flag can be enjoyed without any German skills.

The numerous events offer cultural, musical and literary entertainment and provide an insight into Bavarian culture and traditions.

The highlights include a town festival June 22 at the market square and park, and the traditional parade mentioned above, featuring Upper Palatinate cultural associations and USAG Bavaria community members.

Military community members interested in representing USAG Bavaria can join the parade on their bicycles. Participants must attend the bicycle safety rodeo June 21 at the Tower Barracks Theater parking lot. For more information visit here.

Better in Bavaria Week: Nordgautag 2024 // Historic Nordgau visits Grafenwöhr, USAG Bavaria with multi-day festival, parade
Better in Bavaria Week: Nordgautag 2024 // Historic Nordgau visits Grafenwöhr, USAG Bavaria with multi-day festival, parade (Photo Credit: Kayla Overton) VIEW ORIGINAL