Medenbacher Kerb

Kerb – A Wiesbaden Original

In Wiesbaden's suburbs, "Kerb" is what elsewhere is called Kirchweih or Kirmes: the village's annual high festival with keg tapping, a parade, and exuberant dancing in the festival tent. Unlike in the state capital itself, which has few Kerben, the districts on the edge of the Taunus Mountains cherish the tradition with great dedication – supported by Kerbeburschen (Kerb lads) and Kerbegesellschaften (Kerb societies), who pass on the customs from generation to generation. The Medenbacher Kerb is one of the three largest of these Kerben.

The Rote Rosen, Carriers of Tradition

The organizer is the Kerbegesellschaft Rote Rosen Medenbach e.V. – a society that is not only active one weekend a year but shapes village life year-round. The Aktiven Roten Rosen (Active Red Roses), the society's theatre group, are responsible for the legendary playback show on Saturday evening – the highlight of every Kerb and a cult event for years, attracting guests from neighboring towns.

Medenbach – Wiesbaden on the Edge of the Taunus

Medenbach is a district in the north of Wiesbaden, on the transition to the Hoher Taunus. With just under 3,000 inhabitants, the place has retained its village character – half-timbered houses, scattered orchards, a classic village square. The Kerb completely fills this town center for three days. The venues are the Turnhalle Medenbach (Medenbach Gymnasium) for the major evening events and the festival tent, as well as the village square and the main street for the parade and market.

Structure of a Classic Kerb Weekend

The schedule has been similar for decades: Friday features the official keg tapping at 7 p.m., followed by a party with a DJ and live acts. Saturday presents the big live band for the Variety Show, followed by the playback show around 9 p.m. Sunday includes a traditional church service, followed by an early-bird pint with comedy, and an afternoon family program with a children's concert, bouncy castle, and fire department demonstrations. An encore of the playback show on Sunday evening concludes the weekend.

Schorle and Spritz

In terms of drinks, Medenbach is clearly an apple wine region – Riesling-Schorle (apple wine mixed with Riesling wine, as Wiesbaden is a wine town by district) flows in the festival tent, and for a few years now, in cooperation with BigFM, Aperol Spritz has also been available. The motto "Schorle meets Spritz" stands for the Friday party and brings a younger audience from all over northern Wiesbaden to the gymnasium.