North Rhine-Westphalia: Cranger fair attracts visitors with a show, parade and fireworks

The largest folk festival in NRW is in the starting blocks.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Cranger fair attracts visitors with a show, parade and fireworks

The largest folk festival in NRW is in the starting blocks. A good 500 showmen and four million visitors are expected. Hernes Mayor Frank Dudda (SPD) comes to the opening ceremony. And hit star Howard Carpedale is also there.

Herne (dpa/lnw) - After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the Cranger Kirmes will start next Thursday (August 4th) as one of the largest folk festivals in Germany. Around four million visitors are expected and more than 500 showmen want to come to the Rhine-Herne Canal. There will be a colorful show program, parties, many rides on the fairground and also a large offer especially for children and families, announced the Herne city marketing. Mayor Frank Dudda (SPD) said: "For me, these are the eleven most beautiful days of the year."

At the largest folk festival in NRW, the rides start on the fairground on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, Dudda will then ceremoniously tap the barrel in the large marquee for the official opening. The organizers expect the President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas to be at his side. Pop singer Howard Carpendale will be providing the music. In the evening there will be a big fireworks display - also at the end on August 14th.

The program on Saturday (August 6th) includes a traditional parade with around 4000 participants. The parade with more than 100 groups leads over a four kilometer long party mile. A dancing foot group is also part of the party, and a decorated float is also supposed to roll. As a rule, around 100,000 visitors follow the event on site. There will also be a showman service in the Festhalle again. The city had canceled the folk festival in 2021 and 2020 due to the corona pandemic.