Drolshagen Harvest and Animal Show Festival

A Tradition Since 1853

The Drolshagen Harvest and Animal Show Festival is one of the oldest surviving agricultural festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Drolshagen town council explicitly points out: "The first festival in Drolshagen took place as early as 1853." The folk festival (Volksfest) is organized by the Drolshagen Local Agricultural Association (Landwirtschaftlicher Lokalverein Drolshagen e.V.), a classic farmers' association that has carried on the tradition for over 170 years. The venue is the town of Drolshagen in the southern Olpe district, in the southwestern Sauerland on the border with the Oberbergisches Land region.

Saturday: Around 200 Animals for Judging

Saturday is dedicated to the animal show and judging. Around 200 animals are judged by expert judges — cattle (dairy cows and beef cows), horses, goats, sheep, and rabbits. Breeders from the Sauerland present their best specimens. A crowd favorite is the "Child with Calf" competition: children present their calf to the jury, an image that embodies the spirit of the festival like no other. After the judging, the celebration continues in the marquee with live music and regional food.

Sunday: Service, Awards Ceremony, Morning Pint

Sunday begins with an ecumenical festival service in the marquee, featuring local choirs and brass bands. This is followed by the ceremonial presentation of trophies and honors for particularly deserving breeders. In the early afternoon, a concert provides a relaxed conclusion to the festival.

Funfair and Market Stalls

In parallel to the animal show, a funfair (Kirmes) with rides, stalls, and carousels for the whole family takes place on the Drolshagen festival grounds. Market stalls along the festival mile offer regional specialties, honey, cheese, sausage and bread products, as well as crafts from the Sauerland. It is the weekend when the entire town of Drolshagen and the surrounding communities come together.

Drolshagen in the Southern Sauerland

Drolshagen, with around 12,000 inhabitants, is located in the south of the Olpe district, on the border with Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. The town is characterized by forests and mountains; the Sauerland is known for its traditional agriculture with small and medium-sized family farms. The animal show festival is an expression of this rural heritage — and an important meeting point between town and country.