Merzig Zoo Park Festival

A Volksfest with a Petting Zoo

The Merzig Zoo Park Festival is a classic Saarland spring Volksfest with a special location: it takes place around the Merzig Animal and Ark Park at Blättelborn — a petting zoo focusing on rare domestic and old farm animal breeds (Schwarzes Bergschaf, Pommernente, Walliser Schwarzhalsziege, Glanrind, and others). The festival combines family entertainment with nature education — a combination that attracts thousands of visitors from the Merzig-Wadern district and the surrounding region every year.

Opening on Friday Evening

The event kicks off with the opening on Friday evening at 6 PM with live music and a short speech by the mayor — Mayor Marcus Hoffeld or one of his representatives. Local bands then take over the stage; the festival grounds fill with families from Merzig and the surrounding area. Food stalls offering bratwurst, fries, crêpes, and beer ensure refreshments.

Family Program on Saturday

Saturday is dominated by the extensive children's and family program: bouncy castles, face painting, craft activities, games about the zoo animals (e.g., 'Guess the farm animal by its call'), a carousel, a petting pony, and short riding lessons. The zoo itself is accessible free of charge during the festival — one of the event's biggest draws.

Grand Raffle

A firm tradition is the grand raffle on Sunday afternoon. Local businesses and clubs donate prizes — from wellness vouchers and toys to major prizes like bicycles or zoo sponsorships. The proceeds go towards the maintenance and expansion of the Animal and Ark Park.

Merzig Animal and Ark Park — A Mission of Preservation

The Merzig Animal and Ark Park is part of a European network of 'Ark Parks' with the mission of preserving old domestic animal breeds threatened with extinction. In Merzig, around 50 breeds can be seen on approximately 8 hectares of land — many of which have long disappeared from industrial agriculture. The park is open year-round and is one of the most important family destinations in the Saarschleifenland region.

Merzig — Gateway to the Saarschleifenland

Merzig is the district capital of the Merzig-Wadern district and is located in western Saarland — at the entrance to the Saarschleifenland and the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park. With just under 30,000 inhabitants, the town has a lively city center, a beautiful harbor on the Saar River, and several well-known Volksfeste — the Zoo Park Festival is one of the most traditional.