Irma-West Children's and Heritage Festival Hechingen

Identity-Shaping Festival under the Zollerberg

The Irma-West Children's and Heritage Festival is one of the most important civic festivals in Hechingen (Zollernalb district, state of Baden-Württemberg). The city lies directly at the foot of the famous Hohenzollern Castle, the ancestral seat of the Prussian royal family, which is visible far and wide, shaping the Zollerland. The festival is organized by the Irma-West Community, a registered association that has been preserving the heritage festival for decades and is active in the Association of Historic Children's and Heritage Festivals of Southern Germany. This places Hechingen among cities like Biberach, Ulm, and Memmingen, which maintain similarly traditional children's festivals.

The Namesakes: Fred West and Daughter Irma

The festival bears the name of a Hechingen family: Fred West and his daughter Irma. The exact historical anchoring of the name dates back to the foundation history of the festival. Important to know: the name refers to a local Hechingen personality and has nothing to do with other prominent bearers of this name. The Irma-West Community keeps the memory of the founders and their significance for the city alive.

Program of the Four Festival Days

Friday, July 17 — Festival Kick-off

• Opening of the festival grounds with rides
• Opening events with music groups

Saturday, July 18 — Festival Ceremony

• Festival Ceremony with Hechingen pupils
• Theatrical performances with historical references
• Lantern Procession in the evening

Sunday, July 19 — Grand Parade

• Parade with around 44 groups and approximately 2,000 participants
• Historic costumes, traditional attire, music bands, dance groups
• Route through the historic Hechingen city center

Monday, July 20 — Festival Finale

• Festival grounds with rides all day
• Musical Fireworks in the evening as a spectacular finale

Festival Grounds and Amusement Park

On the Hechingen festival grounds, you'll find rides for all generations over the four festival days: carousels for children, a chain carousel, bumper cars, shooting galleries, a Ferris wheel, and candy stalls. Additionally, there is a children's flea market where Hechingen children offer used toys and books.

Deeply Rooted in Hechingen's Identity

Hechingen families have participated in the parade for generations – clubs, schools, traditional costume groups, and music bands are involved, and many families plan their year around the festival weeks. The Festival Ceremony on Saturday with the pupils brings the city's history to life on stage in dramatic scenes and is an emotional highlight. The musical fireworks on Monday provide the crowning finale – anyone who grew up in Hechingen remembers the fireworks finales for a lifetime.