150 Years Volunteer Fire Brigade Herrieden

150 Years Fire Brigade Herrieden — Finally Celebrated

The Volunteer Fire Brigade of the Town of Herrieden was founded in 1874, making it one of the most traditional brigades in the Middle Franconian district of Ansbach in the state of Bavaria. The 150th anniversary, which was originally supposed to be celebrated in 2024, had to be postponed due to COVID-19. It will now be made up for from May 21st to 24th, 2026 — a four-day festival weekend on the festival grounds at Industriestraße.

A Fire Brigade for the Altmühl Town

Herrieden, with just under 8,000 inhabitants and the second-largest town in the district after Ansbach, is located on the Altmühl river and in the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park. The town fire brigade is a hub for several local brigades and is involved not only in fire protection but also in traffic accidents on the nearby B 13 federal highway. The festival week combines the anniversary with the traditional maypole raising in 2026, which took place before the festival.

Festival Weekend with Festival Tent and Parade

The four-day program begins on Thursday evening with the traditional gala evening in the festival tent. Beer tapping by the mayor, live music, and catering with Franconian specialties kick off the festival week. Friday focuses on a convivial festival tent evening with a party band, while Saturday features sporting competitions for the youth fire brigades from the surrounding brigades. Festival Sunday, May 24th, 2026, is the highlight: a festival service, a grand parade with friendly brigades from the entire Ansbach District Fire Brigade Association, and a ceremonial act in the festival tent.

Franconian Festival Culture

Several regional music bands will perform on the Industriestraße festival grounds over the festival days. In the festival tent, dishes such as Bratwurst (grilled sausage), Schäuferla (pork shoulder) with dumplings, Schweinebraten (roast pork), and Sauerkraut will be served. This will be accompanied by beer from regional breweries in Ansbach and Franconia. Families will find a children's program with a bouncy castle, a beer mug lifting competition for the little ones, and fire brigade exercises to participate in. A festival badge and a commemorative publication will recall 150 years of fire brigade history.

A Festival Week in the District Fire Brigade Association

In the Ansbach district, the FFW Herrieden is one of the larger brigades. The patron brigade and friendly associations will travel for the parade — a tradition that has always shaped cohesion between brigades in the Franconian fire service. The town of Herrieden supports the anniversary with municipal assistance, and the Ansbach District Fire Brigade Association acts as patron.