Bobenheim-Roxheim Kerwe

The Bobenheim-Roxheim Kerwe – also called “Bobenheimer Kerwe" or “Roxheimer Kerwe" depending on the district – is the classic village church consecration festival of the twin municipality. It is part of a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages in the Palatinate: The Kerwe (also Kirchweih or Kirmes) was originally the anniversary of the consecration of the village church, celebrated with a church service, communal meal, and dancing. Over the centuries, this religious origin evolved into the secular folk festival celebrated today.

Three Days of Palatinate Festival Culture

The Kerwe in Bobenheim-Roxheim traditionally lasts for three days, from Friday to Sunday, and takes place on the town hall square and its forecourt in the center of the municipality. Local clubs – fire department, music associations, sports clubs – run the food stalls and form the volunteer backbone of the festival.

Palatinate Kerwe Tradition

Typical program points of a Palatinate Kerwe include:

• Kerwe Opening on Friday evening with tapping of the first beer keg, welcome address by the mayor and pastor, often accompanied by music from the local music association.
• Raising of the Kerwe Tree on Saturday afternoon – a traditional ceremony where a decorated tree is erected as a symbol of the Kerwe.
• Kerwe Parade with the Kerweborscht or Kerwemädchen (Kerwe king and queen), who comment on the village life of the past year in humorous speeches (“Kerwerede").
• Festival Service on Sunday morning.
• Frühschoppen (morning pint) with brass music and Palatinate specialties.
• Dancing and Live Music in the evenings.

Bobenheim-Roxheim as a Festival Community

Bobenheim-Roxheim is one of the most active festival communities in the northern Rhein-Pfalz district. In addition to the Kerwe in September, the Roxheim Gondelfest on the first weekend in July is particularly prominent in the festival calendar year. Both festivals complement each other: the Gondelfest on the Altrhein is the big, supra-regionally known folk festival with fireworks, while the Kerwe represents the cozy local festival anchored in the village center.