Brunnenfest Heberndorf

Heberndorf in the Southern Thuringian Forest

Heberndorf is a small district of the town of Wurzbach in the Saale-Orla district, nestled in the wooded low mountain landscape of the southern Thuringian Forest. With a few hundred inhabitants, the village thrives on a close-knit network of associations — the volunteer fire brigade, the local history society, and the shooting club form the backbone of village life.

From the Well to the Well Festival

Since 1991, the village community has maintained the well in front of the Heberndorfer Brauhaus. What began as a practical task became the occasion for an annual village festival — the Brunnenfest. Over the decades, the festival has become a firm fixture in the summer calendar, attracting residents and guests from surrounding communities.

Three Days at the Upper Village Pond

The Brunnenfest takes place at the upper village pond — a central point in the village, lined with trees and featuring a small festival area. For three days, the area transforms into a festival zone with a beer tent, stage, and children's program. The organizer is the Heberndorf volunteer fire brigade, which manages the festival together with neighbors and associations.

The Classics: Street Skittles and Kilo Wood Sawing

Among the regular participatory attractions are street skittles — a tradition widespread in Thuringia, where large wooden balls are rolled down an improvised track on the street — and kilo wood sawing, where teams compete to saw a piece of wood as close as possible to a predetermined weight. Both competitions are popular team games and mood enhancers.

Children's Entertainment and Dancing

During the day, the festival belongs to families: carousels, craft stations, and games for children, cake, and coffee at the festival grounds. In the evenings, bands or DJs take the stage, and the entire village community celebrates on the dance floor.