Weiherer Kerwa (Kirchweih in Weiher near Hollfeld)

A Kerwa in the Franconian Switzerland

The Franconian Switzerland, the high plateau and rocky landscape between Pegnitz, Wiesent, and Aufseß, is famous for its dense brewery landscape and its Kirchweihen (Kerwas) – patron saint festivals of the village churches, which take place almost all year round in the region. Each Kerwa has its fixed date in the annual cycle, its specialties, its traditions.

Weiher and its Location

Weiher is a district of the town of Hollfeld in the district of Bayreuth. Until the municipal reform in 1972, Weiher was an independent municipality in the Ebermannstadt district – since then, the village has belonged to Hollfeld. Its location is atypical and beautiful: at the headwaters of the Wiesent, about one kilometer west of Hollfeld, in the northern part of the Franconian Switzerland. Accessible via the federal road B22 and a local connecting road.

What Makes the Weiherer Kerwa Special

The Weiherer Kerwa spans several days. It opens with the traditional Krenfleisch-Kerwa on Thursday – Krenfleisch (pork with horseradish and dumplings) is a classic Franconian Kirchweih dish served on the Thursday before the main Kerwa. On Friday or Saturday, the tree raising with brass music follows – the erection of the Kerwa tree by the local youth association. Throughout the weekend, there are festivities with catering, grilled sausages, beer, and live music, before the Kerwa concludes on Monday with the characteristic "Rumspielen vom Struhbär" (straw bear) – an old Upper Franconian tradition where a figure wrapped in straw parades through the village.

Who Organizes

The organizer is the Kerwagemeinschaft Weiher e.V., a village community association that organizes the festival independently. Admission is free, food and drinks are served at club prices.