Kärwa Obermichelbach

Kärwa — the highlight of the village year

The Kärwa Obermichelbach is one of the most important events in the village year of this Middle Franconian municipality. Located in the district of Fürth, just a few kilometers west of the metropolis of Nuremberg-Fürth-Erlangen, the village has preserved its rural character and its adherence to customs. Reliably on the first weekend of July, the Kärwaburschen & Madli Obermichelbach e.V. transforms the town into a festival arena.

Four days of Kerwa, one club

The club of Kärwaburschen and Madli — that is, the young men and girls of the village — organizes the entire festival themselves. From the festival opening on Friday evening, through the physically demanding raising of the maypole on Saturday afternoon (the decorated Kerwabaum is erected solely by muscle power and long wooden poles — a spectacle that attracts entire families), to the festival service on Sunday and the social gathering on Monday, everything is handled by the club.

Costume, Dance, and Tradition

The Middle Franconian costume is a matter of honor for the Kärwaburschen and Madli — and wearing it is maintained and passed on to the younger generations. On Kerwa Sunday and Monday, traditional Franconian dances are offered during the festival, accompanied by a brass band or a folk music group. The elements of custom are alive in Obermichelbach — not a folklore spectacle, but lived practice.

Franconian Delicacies

Culinary, the classics of Franconian cuisine dominate: Schäuferla (pork shoulder) with dumplings, three im Weckla (three small sausages in a bun), Krautwickerla (cabbage rolls), hearty soups. Accompanied by regional beer — the Fürther Land and the adjacent Hersbrucker Alb are among the regions with the most breweries in Franconia. On the sweet side, the obligatory Kerwa doughnuts and sometimes freshly baked Auszogne (a type of fried pastry).

Obermichelbach in the District of Fürth

With about 2,000 inhabitants, Obermichelbach is a manageable municipality, but its Kärwa has a good reputation in the region. It is not as large as the Erlangen Bergkirchweih or the Fürth Erntedankfest (Harvest Festival), but it is authentic and unadulterated. Anyone who wants to experience Franconian Kirchweih tradition off the beaten tourist paths will find it here.