Zeltkirmes Schleid

Village Fair in the Rhön

Schleid is a district of the town Geisa in the Wartburgkreis, on the border between Thuringia and Hesse in the Rhön region. Just under 500 inhabitants — a classic Rhön village with a church, inn, and festival grounds. The Zeltkirmes Schleid is a typical village festival: organized by the heritage association and the Kirmesgesellschaft, supported by volunteer commitment, financed by admission fees to the festival tent and gastronomy.

Three Days of Programme

Based on previous years, the programme runs as follows: Friday evening from 9:00 PM, festival opening with live music and DJ sets (in previous years, for example, Zitrus, DJ L.U.T, and Marcel Arnold). Saturday, traditional church service at 6:00 PM in the village church, followed by a festival tent evening with cover band «Ohne Filter» or similar acts from 8:00 PM. Sunday, the Lindentanz at 2:00 PM — a traditional outdoor dance event under the village linden tree —, followed by the festival winding down in the tent from 5:30 PM with food offerings.

Tradition of Lindentanz

The Lindentanz is a special Rhön tradition. Under the village linden tree — usually in the center of the village — a wooden dance platform is set up, live music plays, and the villagers dance under the open sky. The tradition dates back to the 18th century and has been preserved in many Rhön villages.

Schleid and Geisa

Schleid is located three kilometers from the main town of Geisa. The Geisa region is a special place, known for its former GDR restricted area (Point Alpha — now a memorial at the former border crossing) and as the Hohe Rhön Nature Park. Those who extend their fair weekend can hike in the Rhön or visit Point Alpha.