Mardi Gras in Germany

We all have heard of Germany's Oktoberfest, but I had no idea what a big deal "Fasching" was here. Fasching, also known as "the foolish season", the time period before the Lenten season. The official celebration is typically on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when many towns hold their parades and celebrations. On Tuesday, many schools will be closed for the day, or at least out early, some businesses will close, and typically very stoic Germans will get really crazy.

I started asking questions about a month ago when I noticed the stores beginning to stock really extravagant costumes, both for children and adults. I asked one of Henry's teachers if I should be getting ready for something (I would hate for Henry to show up unprepared for a party). Miss Beth informed me that Fasching was soon approaching and also assured me his Halloween costume would be appropriate. His Fasching will be tomorrow followed by an early dismissal for the big parade in Heidelberg. Right now we are planning to attend, but it might be a little much for us - let me tell you why.

Yesterday, we attended another Fasching parade in a nearby town. We have friends who live in Malsh, which holds a very large and well attended Fasching parade every year. Our friends live on the street where the floats and parade participants line up, so they had a Fasching party. It was a real treat to be able to see the floats and costumes from their front door and yard rather than having to go downtown to the actual parade route. It was a cold, damp, rainy day so Henry and I hung back at the house while the others headed downtown to join the party on the street. Henry and I were able to see all of the floats close up, listen to the music and most of the people who were dressed up were enthusiastic about posing for pictures with Henry. John joined the others downtown. When they returned from the parade, they had candy, booze, fresh flowers and lots of stories to tell. Evidently, the "treats" thrown out at German parades are a little more extravagant than what they throw out in the States. Floats carried kegs of beer which was served to parade watchers, shots of alcohol were also distributed and the children all left smiling with their bags overflowing with candy. We do not know what to expect tomorrow at Heidelberg parade, but I will keep you posted. Below are a few pictures of the parade yesterday.