"Pig out" in Wittlich Published July 28, 2011 By Iris Reiff 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Legend says Wittlich was once a walled fortress constantly under attack by invaders. One evening, a guard charged with locking the besieged town's gate could not find the peg to secure the fortified door. Instead, he wedged a large carrot into the door. Later, a pig ate the carrot, the gate opened and the enemy came in. After the enemy ransacked the town, the angry townspeople herded every pig in Wittlich into the town's market square and roasted them. Since then, Wittlich has been known as the town of the pig burners. To commemorate the event, Wittlich residents hold an annual pig festival, with this year's beginning Aug. 19-22. Wittlich's annual pig festival officially opens Aug. 19 at 2:30 p.m. immediately after the first pigs arrive in the market place via a horse-drawn wagon. The first pigs will be roasted on the spits and the Schweinebraten, or barbecued pork, is ready to be enjoyed starting at 3:30 p.m. Visitors can buy tickets to exchange for pork. These tickets may be purchased at the tourist information office's window in the market square. Wine stands open and musical entertainment by the Wittlich brass band and the Luexem Music Association will take place from 3-7 p.m. in the main market square. The Hupperath music association will perform a concert on Pariser Platz from 3-5 p.m. A craftsmen's market on the city's Lieserplatz stays open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the festival. A concert by the Wittlich 1921 e.V. music association brass band will take place at 9 p.m. in the city's main market square. Local residents put on a play at 9:30 p.m. in the Stadtpark, or city park, and have a torch light procession through the streets of Wittlich recreating the legend. The event starts at the Tuermchen, or small tower. DJ Skytrain will entertain visitors from 8-9 p.m. in the main market square while DJ Sunflower will provide music from 8-9 p.m. on Pariser Platz. The New Generation Live band will entertain visitors starting at 9 p.m. on the main market square while the Fraenk Funk band will be on stage on Pariser Platz, starting at 9 p.m. Music will end about 1 a.m. The market square will be crowded the evening of Aug. 20 and people usually dance, sing and listen to the music from in front of the stage. Activities continue Aug. 21 with musical performances by various local bands, from around 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. A jazz concert by the Mark-Schelzke-Quartet is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Pariser Platz. DJs Skytrain and Sunflower will entertain from 8-9 p.m. when the Betty Booster band takes over the market square stage until about 12:30 a.m. The Handpicked band will play from 8:30 p.m. until midnight on Pariser Platz. Schweinebraten will be available again from noon until midnight. More concerts by local bands start at 11 a.m. Aug. 22. Schweinebraten will be available at noon. Childrens' entertainment will take place from 3-4 p.m. The Glennsneffen Big Band will be on stage in the market square from 6-8 p.m. The Sidewalk band will perform a concert from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Pariser Platz and the Wild Bobbin Baboons band will be on stage from 9 p.m. until 1:45 a.m. in the main market square. An amusement park offers more than 60 rides and game stands throughout the festival. Although the pig festival officially comes to an end late Aug. 22, the amusement park and food stands remain open Aug. 23 from 1-7 p.m. when Wittlich offers a family day with reduced prices for everyone. Visitors to the pig festival can also see an art exhibition at the Rathaus, or city hall. During the festival, traffic will be blocked from the town center, because all celebrations occur either in the market square or close to the center of town. Free parking is available at Parkplatz Rommelsbach at 54516 Wittlich, which about a five-minute walk to the city center. For people who plan to take children, know that the city is crowded and alcohol is consumed at this festival. It is not recommended to bring small children in strollers.