- Gäuboden folkfest begins with a parade
Decorated horse-drawn carriages, traditional attire, and brass band music kick off the Straubing Gäubodenvolkfest on Friday evening. The traditional parade, featuring around 3,500 participants, will traverse a approximately two-kilometer route through the city center and conclude at the festival grounds. The event begins at 5:30 PM, with thousands of spectators expected to attend. Umbrellas are unlikely to be needed, as the German Weather Service predicts summery weather with temperatures nearing 30°C and a mix of sun and clouds.
With around 1.3 million visitors, the Gäubodenvolkfest is considered the second-largest folk festival in Bavaria, after the Munich Oktoberfest. It runs until August 19.
Seven festival tents offer typical folk festival cuisine, including roast meats, pretzels, and beer. A liter of beer costs between 12.70 and 12.75 euros, making it slightly cheaper than at the Munich Oktoberfest, where prices range from 13.60 to 15.30 euros.
Unlike Munich, Straubing does not have an official beer tapping ceremony, a tradition that dates back to former mayor Otto Höchtl's decision in the 1950s to respect the Munich event. Therefore, there is no "O'zapft is" in Straubing.
Water dispensers, introduced last year, proved popular and will be installed again this year due to the expected high temperatures.
The official opening on Saturday, August 10, will feature speeches by Bavarian Minister of Economics Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) and Minister of Transport Christian Bernreiter (CSU), standing in for Minister of the Environment Thorsten Glauber (Free Voters), who recently sustained bone fractures in a cycling accident.
The Ostbayernschau, a predominantly agricultural fair, also begins on August 10. The history of the Straubing folk festival dates back to 1812.
The use of traditional Bavarian attire is encouraged during the Straubing Gäubodenvolkfest, adding to the overall authentic experience for visitors. This year, water dispensers will be made available throughout the festival grounds, ensuring that attendees can stay hydrated during the scorching summer weather.
