150 Years Volunteer Fire Brigade Untersteinbach with District Fire Brigade Day 2026

1876–2026: 150 Years Serving the Steigerwald

In 1876, citizens of the Steigerwald village of Untersteinbach founded a volunteer fire brigade. What began 150 years ago as a rural mutual aid group against farm fires has evolved into a modern, highly motivated operational unit of the municipality of Rauhenebrach in the Lower Franconian district of Haßberge. For its milestone birthday in 2026, the brigade is organizing a four-day festival weekend with the District Fire Brigade Day as the highlight.

District Fire Brigade Day of the KFV Haßberge

The Haßberge District Fire Brigade Association (KFV Haßberge e.V.) – the umbrella organization for all fire brigades in the district since 1996 – is hosting its annual District Fire Brigade Day on Sunday, June 14, 2026, starting at 9:30 AM in Untersteinbach. This is a special honor for the celebrating brigade: the District Fire Brigade Day will bring several thousand active members, association members, and guests of honor from all inspection districts of the entire county to the village.

Program Highlights of the Anniversary

• Friday, June 12: Gala evening and festive opening in the festival tent
• Saturday, June 13: Ceremonial act with honors, vehicle dedication, festive evening with brass music
• Sunday, June 14: Festival service, District Fire Brigade Day from 9:30 AM, grand parade, demonstration drills, morning pint (Frühschoppen), festival continues into the evening
• Monday, June 15: Family Day with morning pint (Frühschoppen) and a relaxed end to the festival

Untersteinbach in the Steigerwald

Untersteinbach is part of the extensive municipality of Rauhenebrach, one of the largest municipalities by area in Lower Franconia, nestled within the wooded Steigerwald Nature Park. The municipality of Rauhenebrach in the Haßberge district (state of Bavaria) consists of numerous small districts that have preserved their independent identity, associations, and fire brigades over the centuries. The FFW Untersteinbach is a cornerstone of this village community life.

Franconian Festival Culture

As is customary for fire brigade anniversaries in Franconia, the weekend will be characterized by brass bands, festival tent evenings with regional bands, Franconian sausages, freshly tapped beer, and traditional get-togethers. The parade on Sunday is the visual highlight: fire brigades from the entire Haßberge district, associations, music bands, and historical vehicles will march through Untersteinbach in uniform.

An Anniversary with Regional Significance

A 150th birthday of a fire brigade is a rare and significant event in the Haßberge district. Combined with the District Fire Brigade Day, the celebration becomes the largest gathering of the fire brigade family in the district in 2026. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Franconian association traditions, technical demonstrations, and festival culture all at once – right in the heart of the idyllic Steigerwald.