155 Years Volunteer Fire Brigade Erlbach with Oldtimer Meeting

A Ries Village Celebrates Its Fire Brigade

Erlbach is a small district of the town of Oettingen i.Bay., located about four kilometers south of the Ries town in the district of Donau-Ries. As in many Swabian villages, the Volunteer Fire Brigade here is far more than just a relief organization: it is the center of club life, the builder of the village community center, and the guardian of festival traditions. In 2026, the FF Erlbach turns 155 years old – a significant milestone that will be celebrated with a three-day founding festival and a large oldtimer meeting.

Festival Marquee, Brass Music, and Church Service

As is customary for Upper Swabian fire brigade anniversaries, the festival marquee is the centerpiece: opening with a beer tapping ceremony, festive evenings with brass music and party bands, a celebratory church service on Sunday morning, and a grand procession with neighboring fire brigades and clubs. Experience shows that the festival Sunday ends with hearty catering and music into the evening.

Oldtimer Meeting – Fire Brigade History You Can Touch

Special feature in 2026: the parallel oldtimer meeting. Historic fire engines, portable pump trailers, and tractors from the Ries and neighboring districts will be parked on the festival grounds. For technology enthusiasts and families, it's an opportunity to trace the development of fire brigade technology from the late 19th century to the 1980s through original vehicles.

Location in the Ries

Erlbach is located in the historic Ries, the impact crater between the Swabian and Franconian Jura. Oettingen i.Bay., to which Erlbach belongs, is accessible via the B466 and B25 (Romantic Road). For visitors from the Donau-Ries region, it's a classic summer festival date that is part of the festival calendar of the Donau-Ries District Fire Brigade Association.