Honzrath Sommerkirmes

A Fair with History

The Honzrath Sommerkirmes is one of the most traditional folk festivals in the Merzig-Wadern district. Its roots date back to 1934 — when the Eucharist was transferred to the St. Catherine's Chapel in the Honzrath district. Over the decades, this religious act has evolved into a full-fledged village fair that takes place every year on the second weekend of July.

Three Days of Village Festival

The fair lasts for three days — Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The program follows the classic Saarland fair pattern:

• Saturday: Opening, live music on the festival stage, Schwenker (grilled meat) and beer, chain carousel and carousel rides
• Sunday: Festival service, morning pint with brass band, family program, main concert in the evening
• Monday: traditional Dämmerschoppen with the court proceeding about the "Kirmeshannes" — a humorous folk figure who symbolically announces the end of the fair

The Kirmeshannes — A Folk Figure

The Kirmeshannes is a traditional folk figure of the Saarland fairs — usually a humorously assembled puppet or a costumed man who symbolizes the end of the fair. On Monday evening, he is "convicted" in a fictional court proceeding — a tradition carried out with wit, mockery, and Saarland dialect, which is the absolute highlight for connoisseurs.

The Honzrath-Haustadt Local Heritage Association

The organizer is the Heimatverein Honzrath-Haustadt (Local Heritage Association), together with local clubs. The connection between the two Beckingen districts of Honzrath and Haustadt is close — heritage preservation is practiced together here. The summer fair is one of the most important club events of the year.

Honzrath as a District of Beckingen

Honzrath is a district of the municipality of Beckingen, in the Merzig-Wadern district, in western Saarland — not far from the French and Luxembourg borders. The municipality of Beckingen has several districts (Beckingen, Düppenweiler, Erbringen, Hargarten, Haustadt, Honzrath, Oppen, Reimsbach, Saarfels), each of which maintains its own fair. This creates a dense calendar of village festivals throughout the year, with Honzrath forming the summer highlight.

A World of Its Own

Anyone who has never been to a Saarland village fair should get to know Honzrath. Here you can see the genuine club life of the state — all families are there, all generations meet, the carnival clubs participate, the Schwenker grills steam, music clubs play brass music, and dance bands provide entertainment at night. Free admission.