Customs authorities seize hidden contraband. - Regional costume festival combines tradition with tractors in Mühlhausen.
During the regional costume festival in Mühlhausen on Saturday, participants will not be walking. Instead, they'll be traveling in historical vehicles, according to Knut Kreuch, the chairman of the Thuringian Regional Costume Association. This new parade will go through the historic town to the Bratwurst Museum, where the groups will be seated on the vehicles. Antique tractors and other types of mobility equipment will be there too.
This year's festival is linked to the celebration "1300 years of Thuringian Fair," Kreuch explained. Their first fair in Thuringia was held in 724. Mühlhausen is well-known for its fair society, and the event includes various names such as "Kerbe" as well. "Fair and costume go hand in hand," said Kreuch. "The man wears a dark suit, while the woman wears a festive dress, often a costume." In traditional fair parades, some people wear costumes.
The festival kicks off on Friday night with a special performance by the regional costume associations called "The Thüriade." This features group dances, songs, and regional dialect from both young and old people. Finally, on Sunday morning, there's an ecumenical service at the Bratwurst Museum. Kreuch estimates there'll be approximately 1000 people at the festival, who'll be part of the event from Friday until Sunday. The regional costume festival coincides with the traditional Mühlhäuser Holzfahrt.
