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Annual Beda market offers fun and shopping opportunities

  • Published
  • By Iris Reiff
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  For those who haven't made travel plans for the weekend, the annual Bitburg Beda market is an option March 19-21.

Bitburg was called Beda in Celtic times, and that's where the market's name comes from.

This year, and for the 31st time, the town will present both its economic and cultural life to thousands of visitors. In front of the Beda Haus cultural center, located in the heart of the community, people from all across Germany, as well as the neighboring countries of Belgium and Luxembourg, come to enjoy a large-scale car and agricultural vehicle and equipment display, as well as an exhibition of hand-crafted items from more than 100 various vendors. The theme for the market is "To see, experience and inform."

Artifacts will be on display throughout the event in tents, the Beda house cultural center and the local bank lobbies around the Beda house. Businesses will also market their products inside and outside the event tents.

The Beda market will open 10 a.m March 20. Bitburg's car dealers will introduce the latest models 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. March 20 - 21 at the Bitburg Pruem-Kreissparkasse bank and at a tent on Bedaplatz. There will be a special farmer's market both days at the festival tents and book sales at the Beda house 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. During the Beda market, stores will be open in Bitburg, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. March 20 and 1-6 p.m. March 21. A small amusement park will also be set up. A concert by the group "Fidibus" is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 20.

Food and beverages will be offered during the event. A breakfast buffet will be available 9:30 - 11 a.m. March 21 at the "Old Gymsasium" festival tent where many activities will occur. The buffet is not free.

The city arranged a free park and ride shuttle bus service to and from the former Bitburg Air Base 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. March 21. P + R-Service signs will direct visitors to the parking lots.

The history of Bitburg and the American presence

Bitburg, located in the south Eifel, was called Beda in Celtic times. The city was part of the Roman protectorate until 400 A.D. In the early Middle Ages, Bitburg belonged to the Luxembourg earldom, then later to the duchy of Luxembourg, and in 1443 to Burgundy county. The city later came under French control and then was transferred to the kingdom of Prussia.

Bitburg was poor at that time. When establishing the infrastructure for the war - the West Barrier, new military barracks and the "Kylltal" railway net - the city's economy improved. During World War II, about 85 percent of the city was destroyed by bombings, and Bitburg was declared a dead city. Luxembourg soldiers occupied the city and were replaced by the French in 1955.

In 1965, the U.S. military base was opened under American leadership. At the end of the 1980s, the French withdrew their last troops, and NATO took control of the former French barracks. There has always been a military presence in Bitburg, and this did not change after World War II. More than 12,000 military members were stationed at Bitburg until Oct. 1 1994, when the base closed. After the closure, the Bitburg Annex housing area, with 1,300 housing units, became part of the 52nd Fighter.

The city of Bitburg has grown to be an important industrial city that offers multiple grocery stores, a large number of specialized stores, many different car dealerships, construction markets, a hospital, doctors, dentists, beauty shops, guesthouses, restaurants and more. Americans have become an integral part of the German community in Bitburg. American military members participate in everyday life at Bitburg and have done so for years.
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