Sommerfest der Heidefreunde Boelerheide

Tradition in the heart of Hagen-Boelerheide

The Heidefreunde Boelerheide e.V., founded in 1955 at the Schneppendahl inn, is one of the most traditional clubs in Hagen's north with around 300 members. Their self-image: "Association for the Preservation of Local Traditions". The membership meets at the Heidetreff on Overbergstraße on Thursdays from 6 p.m., in addition to the women's circle, senior's meeting, and tradition evenings held throughout the year. The Summer Festival in Hameckepark, along with the carnival parade and performances by the Stukenförster — the association's symbolic figure holding office since November — is the annual highlight in the club's calendar.

Hameckepark as the Festival Venue

The venue is the Hameckepark festival grounds at Fritz-Reuter-Straße 4 in Hagen-Boelerheide, located on the edge of the park. A festival tent, stalls, a playground, and an adjacent park area with old trees make the site a typical Ruhr area civic festival location: locally anchored, family-friendly, within walking distance for most Boelerheide residents, and well-connected to the northern districts of Hagen.

Friday — Kick-off with Paratroopers

Friday begins at 5:00 PM with the opening of all stalls. The highlight at 7:00 PM is the arrival of several paratroopers, who will jump over Boelerheide and land precisely on the meadow next to the festival grounds — a spectacle that the Heidefreunde have been organizing with a parachuting sports group for years. From 8:00 PM, a live band and DJ take over in the festival tent; admission is free.

Saturday — Pea Soup, Family Program, Carriage Rides

Saturday starts at 12:00 PM with the traditional pea soup from the field kitchen — a classic of local club catering. From 2:00 PM, the colorful summer festival program begins with coffee and cake, plus a dedicated children's offering with a free bouncy castle, face painting, photo booth, and balloon artist. Carriage rides through Hameckepark have been among the most popular family activities for years — rides are offered on Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday — Frühschoppen with MGV Heiderose

Sunday opens at 11:00 AM with a musical Frühschoppen (morning pint) — the MGV Heiderose (male choir from Boelerheide) provides the musical start with traditional songs. Afterwards, coffee, cake, and the summer festival program continue in the festival tent into the afternoon. Sunday is the quietest, most family-oriented day — many Boelerheide residents come with children and grandchildren for the final day.

Hagen-Boelerheide and the Ruhr Area

Boelerheide is a district in the north of Hagen, characterized by post-war residential buildings and its proximity to the Wuppertal/Ennepetal city limits. Those arriving from Wuppertal, Hagen-Mitte, or the Märkischer Kreis can easily reach Hameckepark by car via the A 1/A 46. The summer festival is part of a dense Westphalian tradition landscape — Hagen is located in the southern Ruhr area, at the transition to the Sauerland, and the district consciously cultivates its identity.