Ellrich Town and Fire Brigade Festival

Ellrich — Town in the Südharz Region

Ellrich is located in the extreme north of Thuringia, directly on the southern edge of the Harz mountains and on the border with Lower Saxony. With around 5,500 inhabitants, Ellrich is a small town with a rich history: once a Hanseatic city, later a mining and salt town, today a residential town on the edge of the karst hiking trails. The market square with its historic town hall is the centre of urban life.

Two Days of Town and Fire Brigade

The format is classic and proven: the town and the volunteer fire brigade jointly organise a two-day Volksfest. Friday opening with beer tapping and the first evening of dancing, Saturday the main festival day with fire brigade demonstrations, family programme, and a big evening of dancing. The festival is a celebration of the town's identity — citizens and the fire brigade present themselves and their commitment.

Fire Brigade Demonstrations as a Highlight

The Ellrich Volunteer Fire Brigade uses the festival to present its work: live vehicle recovery, firefighting demonstrations, pumper rides for children, and information on fire prevention. For the fire brigade, the festival is both an important source of income and a way to recruit new members — both functions are classically intertwined in Thuringian village and small-town festivals.

Music, Festival Tent, and Family Programme

In the festival tent on the market square, there is live music (mostly regional dance bands or cover bands), Thuringian specialities — Bratwurst, Rostbrätel, potato soup — and beer on tap. During the day, carousels run for children, and craft and activity stations are run by clubs. Sunday concludes with a Frühschoppen (morning pint), a midday meal, and winding down.

Südharz as a Tourist Destination

Those who wish to extend their festival visit will find hiking trails on the Karst Trail in the Südharz, dripstone caves (Heimkehle, Heinrichshöhle), and the nearby city of Nordhausen with its schnapps-making tradition (Echter Nordhäuser). The Mittelbau-Dora Memorial site commemorates Nazi forced labour in the Südharz.