Pleisweiler-Oberhofen Kerwe

Pleisweiler-Oberhofen in the Bergzabern Region

Pleisweiler-Oberhofen is a double municipality formed from the originally separate villages of Pleisweiler and Oberhofen, which have existed as a single administrative unit since 1972. The village belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde Bad Bergzabern and is located in the southernmost part of the Südliche Weinstraße (Southern Wine Route), just a few kilometers from the French border. The rural location between vineyards and the Palatinate Forest shapes both the village's appearance and its community life.

Palatinate Kerwe as a Social Highlight

The Kerwe – short for Kirchweih (church consecration festival) – is more than just a folk festival in the Palatinate. It is an occasion for the village community to meet, maintain traditional customs, and celebrate social life. In Pleisweiler-Oberhofen, many former residents return to their hometown for the Kerwe, giving the festival an emotional dimension beyond its pure festive character.

Three Days of Festivities on the First Weekend of September

The Kerwe is traditionally celebrated from Friday to Monday, although some editions concentrate the activities on the core festival days from Saturday to Monday. The setup in the village center with a festival tent and catering stands is created in the preceding days through the voluntary efforts of the associations. Program highlights include the festival Saturday with evening music, Kerwe Sunday with a morning pint and the traditional Kerwerede (Kerwe speech), and festival Monday with the Kehraus (farewell party).

Wine and Palatinate Cuisine

Classic Palatinate specialties are served at the catering stands: Saumagen (stuffed pig's stomach), Bratwurst (fried sausage), Leberknödel (liver dumplings), Flammkuchen (tarte flambée). Local vintners serve Riesling, Burgundy wines, and red wines. The atmosphere is familial and relaxed; with its proximity to the French border, Alsatian influences can also be found in the cuisine and among the guests.