Burgenfest Manderscheid

One of the great things about Germany is there is always a festival of some sorts going on during the summer. We had heard about the Manderscheid Medieval Festival when we first got here. So, we had been looking forward to going. What trip to a festival would be complete without the White family? We invited them up for the weekend to join us for the festival.

This festival is set on the grounds of two old castles. The whole area is beautiful. Everyone who is part of the festival is dressed in medieval clothing. So Jenn and I saw this a great excuse to put the girls in their dresses again. I know -- not really medieval, but any excuse to have them wear those dresses again. They also have a jousting tournament, which we only caught a glimpse of.  The place was packed!

These guys where standing near the entrance playing medieval music while we where there. They were a very lively group.

Part of the castle.

This is an actual beehive.  You would never see something like this in the states so close to people at a public gathering.

A picture of the jousting area as we were walking down to it.

You have to cross over  a stream to get the courtyard area.

Ella and Mark checking things out.

 

The Blacksmith.

The best part of the whole trip for the kids was playing in the river. They had a blast walking around on the rocks and cooling off in the water.  Ella and Katy by the end where naked playing in the water.

 

The kids enjoying ice cream after a dip in the river.

A knight hanging out.

Villagers riding on the back of monks. I have no clue why.

This guys I believe was a medicine mad.  I wish Diane had been with us.  He was telling a story and she could have translated it for us!

The walkway on the lower part of the castle.

Jousting area from the castle.

 

I am not sure our day could have ended much better than it did.  After we got home the sky was full of balloons.  They where passing right over the house and you could actual hear the people in them.  The kids had a great time in the backyard watching them go over the house!

 

 

This guy came right over the house!