150th Anniversary Founding Festival FFW Parkstetten

150 Years of Commitment in the Gäuboden

Founded in 1876, the Volunteer Fire Brigade Parkstetten is one of the most traditional fire brigades in the Lower Bavarian Gäuboden. With its 150th anniversary celebration from July 16th to 20th, 2026, the brigade is marking one of the most important club anniversaries in its history. Parkstetten is located about eight kilometers northeast of Straubing in the district of Straubing-Bogen, state of Bavaria, on the edge of the fertile Danube lowlands.

Five Days of Anniversary Program

The festival takes place over five days at the festival grounds on Chamer Straße. The festive opening on Thursday, July 16th, will be by the BR-Brettlspitzen, the popular folk singing event of Bayerischer Rundfunk, starting at 5 PM. In the festival tent with several hundred seats, the following weekend days will feature further live concerts, a solemn church service, and the traditional procession with patron fire brigades, clubs, and traditional costume groups from the district of Straubing-Bogen.

Tradition of Patron Fire Brigades

As is customary for major anniversaries of Lower Bavarian fire brigades, the procession on Sunday is the highlight. Hundreds of active members from the patron fire brigades of the Gäuboden march in uniform through Parkstetten and gather at the festival grounds for a joint Frühschoppen (morning pint). A ceremonial act, honors for deserving members by the District Fire Brigade Association Straubing-Bogen, and an ecumenical church service round off the official program.

Parkstetten — Gateway to the Gäuboden

The municipality of Parkstetten has around 4,000 inhabitants and is considered the gateway to the Upper Bavarian-Lower Bavarian Danube region. The town is easily accessible via the A 3 motorway (Straubing exit). Parkstetten maintains a rich tradition of customs with its clubs—fire brigade, marksmen, traditional costume groups, football. The 150th anniversary of the FFW is by far the most important major event for the community in 2026.