Kerwe Stetten (Donnersbergkreis)

The Kerwe Stetten – called "Sterrer Kerb" in the Palatinate dialect – is the annual Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the small municipality of Stetten in the Donnersbergkreis district. Stetten belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde (municipal association) of Göllheim and is located at the transition from the northern Palatinate wine-growing region to Rheinhessen.

Sterrer Kerb Tradition

The Sterrer Kerb follows the classic Palatinate Kerwe rhythm: opening on Friday evening with a beer tapping ceremony, dance evenings on the weekend, Frühschoppen (morning pint) on Sunday, Kerwe parade on Sunday afternoon, and a family day on Monday. The local clubs – including the sports club, fire department, and possibly a singing club or other associations – share the organization with the local municipality.

Palatinate Customs

As everywhere in the Palatinate, Kerwe customs are also alive and well in Stetten: Kerweborsch (Kerwe lads) and Kerweparrer (Kerwe priest) characterize the event, and the Kerwerede (Kerwe speech) is a humorous review of the year and a satirical commentary format at the same time. The Kerwe parade on Sunday with decorated floats, brass bands, and clubs is a meeting point for young and old.

Wine Village at the Transition

Stetten benefits from its location in a wine-growing region. Palatinate and Rhenish wines are served at the festival, complemented by the usual Palatinate festival fare: Saumagen (pig's stomach stuffed with meat and bread), Bratwurst (fried sausage), Leberknödel (liver dumplings), fries, and Schmalzgebäck (fried pastry). Beer is tapped from the barrel, often from a regional brewery.

Social Significance

For the approximately 700 inhabitants of Stetten, the Kerb is the social highlight of the year: former villagers return, family reunions are planned around the weekend, and the festival activities contribute significantly to the clubs' finances.