Haundorfer Kirchweih

Kerwa in Central Franconia

The Kirchweih, usually called "Kerwa" in Central Franconia, is the most important summer festival alongside the Schützenfest (marksmen's festival) and the wine festival season. It dates back to the commemoration of the consecration of the local church, but today it is primarily a central village and club festival. In Haundorf, the Kerwa is organized by the Kerwabuam und -madli Haundorf together with the other local associations.

Haundorf and its Districts

Haundorf is a municipality in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen (AGS 09577) in the Franconian Lake District, in close proximity to the Großer Brombachsee. The municipality includes several districts, including Haundorf and Obererlbach. Both places maintain their own Kerwa tradition, which leads to the characteristic doubling of the festival over two consecutive August weekends for the municipality.

Program of a Typical Haundorfer Kerwa

A classic Haundorfer Kerwa begins on Friday evening with the tapping of the first beer keg (Bieranstich), the performance of the Kerwabuam, and their raising of the Kerwabaum (festival maypole). This is followed by dance evenings with local bands, on Sunday the celebratory church service (Festgottesdienst), and during the day, the convivial gathering of the clubs. In Obererlbach, a "Wirtshaus-Kirchweih" (inn-centered Kirchweih) is traditionally celebrated in October, lasting five days and centered in the inn – in contrast, the tent-based summer Kerwa takes place in the Haundorf district during the summer.

Franconian Lake District

With its location on the Brombachsee, Haundorf is embedded in the Franconian Lake District, a chain of lakes created since the 1980s between the Altmühl and Frankenhöhe regions. During the summer months, many guests combine their stay in Haundorf with days of swimming at the Brombachsee, making the Kerwa a mix of a village club festival and a tourist-influenced location.