Marktsteft Kirchweih

Marktsteft at the Spitze des Maindreiecks

Anyone familiar with the Franconian wine region knows Marktsteft. The small town with under 2,000 inhabitants is located at the southern tip of the famous Maindreieck in the Kitzingen district — precisely where the Main makes its southernmost loop before turning west. It's a region characterized by viticulture, Franconian tavern culture, and a dense network of marksmen's and community festivals.

The Schützengesellschaft von 1712 — Tradition for over 300 years

The Schützengesellschaft von 1712 e.V. has been a central player in Marktsteft's community life for over three centuries. They organize not only the Kirchweih but also other highlights of the year: the May festival in the Schützengarten, the asparagus shooting competition in May, a harbor festival on the third weekend in July, the helpers' dinner in October, and mulled wine at Kernerplatz in December.

Program Pillars of the Marktsteft Kerwa

• Thursday/Friday: Festival activities at the Schützengarten with beer tapping, Kirchweih shooting competition from late afternoon, bar service from late evening
• Saturday: Festival activities and Kirchweih shooting competition, bar service with live or DJ music in the evening
• Sunday: Festival service, traditional morning pint (Frühschoppen), parade of associations through Marktsteft, catering with Franconian specialties
• Monday: Wind-down with quiet festival activities, family program, closing evening

Franconian Wine, Franconian Tavern Culture, and Community Life

Visitors to the Kirchweih should take time for a stroll along the Main riverbank, a stop at one of the wineries around Marktsteft, or an excursion to Sulzfeld, Marktbreit, or Iphofen. The region is one of the most attractive in Franconia for wine tourism, and the Kerwa fits seamlessly into this lifestyle: it's a community festival, marksmen's tradition, church festival, and folk festival all in one.