Lambada Kerwe Lampertheim

The largest folk festival in the Asparagus Capital

Lampertheim in southern Hesse, located east of the Rhine between the Bergstraße and the Ried, proudly bears the nickname "Asparagus Capital". In early summer, the town is one of Germany's most important cultivation centers for white asparagus. But in September, the town changes its program: The Lambada Kerwe is the most important folk festival of the year and attracts visitors from the entire southern Hessian region as well as from nearby Mannheim, the Palatinate, and the northern Baden region.

Festival axis through the city center

Unlike many folk festivals that are concentrated in a single square, the Lambada Kerwe spreads out as a festival axis through the city center. From Europaplatz with the Old Town Hall, the festival runs along Römerstraße to the striking Domkirche St. Andreas. Kaiserstraße and Bürstädter Straße are also partially used. This urban layout creates a city festival atmosphere where the entire center becomes a party mile.

Opening on Saturday — Tradition with Speeches

The Kerwe traditionally opens on Saturday at 5 PM on Europaplatz in front of the Old Town Hall. The opening speech is given by Heinz „Clever“ Eichenauer – a local personality whose satirical speeches have become a firm part of the program and inject Hessian humor into the official proceedings. This is followed by the ceremonial tapping of the first beer keg and the start of the program on the stages.

Kerwe Village of the Clubs

The heart of the Lambada Kerwe is the Kerwe Village – a row of stalls run by over 30 Lampertheim clubs, restaurateurs, and hosts. From the tennis club to the fire department, the marksmen's club, and the church communities, almost all Lampertheim groups are involved. This makes the Kerwe also a fundraising event for the entire club life of the town.

Sunday Shopping

A special feature is the Sunday shopping from 1 PM to 6 PM. City center retailers open their shops parallel to the Kerwe, which attracts additional visitors and gives the Lambada Kerwe a commercial city festival character. Showmen traditionally set up their rides along the Kerwe mile, complemented by live music on several stages.

Howwemer Kerb as a sister event

On the same September weekend, the Howwemer Kerb takes place in the Lampertheim district of Hofheim – with the traditional wheelbarrow race. Visitors to the Lambada Kerwe can switch to the Hofheim Kerb by bus or on foot and experience both Hessian traditional festivals in one weekend.