Gänsmarktkerwa Uehlfeld

A Spring Kirchweih with Poultry History

The Gänsmarktkerwa is one of Middle Franconia's traditional spring Kirchweihen. Its name refers to the old poultry market that was held here annually in May – to this day, there is poultry sales during the Kerwa on market Sunday. The festival thus combines Franconian folk culture, village economy, and the religious calendar in a unique form.

Uehlfeld – The Stork Village

Uehlfeld is located in the Aischgrund, in the middle of a damp river landscape that is one of the most important stork breeding areas in Bavaria. Several pairs of storks nest on the roofs and towers of the market town every year; they can be seen everywhere in the town center. During the Gänsmarktkerwa, local stork expert Gerhard Bärthlein leads personal tours to the active stork nests – a special feature that no other Franconian folk festival offers.

The Program

The Kerwa runs on two tracks: Saturday evening is dedicated to live music and socializing – food trucks, cocktails, sausages, and a band create a festival tent atmosphere outdoors. Sunday is market day with a festive service in the tent, morning pint, shared lunch, coffee and homemade cake, poultry sales, and market activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several guided tours through the stork village and a historical walk through Uehlfeld's past round off the day.

Venue: Kirch-, Göthe- and Raiffeisenstraße

The market extends over three streets in the town center – Kirchstraße, Göthestraße, and Raiffeisenstraße. The tent for the service and festival activities, as well as the market stalls along the streets, are located in the center. In case of bad weather, the Saturday evening event will move into the festival tent.

Tradition and Modernity

The Gänsmarktkerwa is not a tourist spectacle, but a living village festival that the people of Uehlfeld themselves support. Market Uehlfeld and the Evangelical Lutheran Parish of St. Jakobus organize the festival together with local clubs. Anyone who wants to experience Franconian spring culture away from the tourist paths for a day will find it here.