Duerkheim hosts world famous wine festival Published Aug. 25, 2008 By Iris Reiff 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem members may want to make plans now to visit the world famous Bad Duerkheim Wine and Sausage Fest or Wurstmarkt Sept. 12-16 and Sept. 19-22. Celebrated annually for 592 years, this is a key festival, attracting people from all over the globe. The Wurstmarkt found its origin in the Saint Michaelstag market, which was a sales market, held by the Limburg abbey in front of the Saint Michaels pilgrims' chapel annually since 1417. However, there are assumptions the market dates back to even earlier days. Already in former times the market received widespread attention and was a very important economic impact for the town of Bad Duerkheim. During bad times, especially during World Wars I and II, the market was often postponed or canceled. Starting in 1750, the market became a more steady institution and the demand among the population for sausage drastically increased at the three-day event. In 1800, the market turned into a great festival and in 1832 it started to be known as Wurstmarkt. The traditional sausage market is now considered the world's greatest wine festival of its kind, according to festival organizers, starting the second weekend in September at the Bruehlwiesen grounds. Every year, visitors consume more than 220,000 liters of wine, 400,000 pounds of meat and 60,000 chickens. There are three festival halls with more than 1,200 seats each, about 36 wine tents where German brass bands perform, a large amusement park, more than 40 sausage and chicken food stands and about 40 historical wine stands featuring more than 250 different wines. A huge amusement ride park features a 65-meter long family roller coaster, the Super Family Slide, the Break Dancer ride, the Happy Sailor ride, the Salto Mortale ride -- which is the highest ride on the grounds, a 59-meter high free fall tower -- the Frisbee Family Ride, a haunted house, the Super Wave Flyer, the Dynamic Trip simulator ride and more. Other rides and attractions are five different children's rides, to include carrousels, three huge raffle-win-a-prize booths, 28 candy stands, 20 game stands, 55 fast food booths and 59 sales booths. Music and entertainment will be provided throughout the festival in and outside the festival halls and tents. Among the highlights will be a historical play and a special Wurst market exhibition as well as two fireworks displays. The world's largest wine barrel is also one of the top attractions. Bad Duerkheim is a spa resort, located in the heart of the Pfalz region, (between Kaiserslautern and Mannheim) along the scenic Deutsche Weinstrasse or German Wine Street. In the Duerkheim area, almond trees bear their first flower buds as early as February, followed by the yellow forsythia. Protected by the forests and influenced by sub-tropical winds that waft in from Southern France, lemons, figs and kiwi fruit can be grown, as well as rich nourishing grapes, which make a most excellent wine. Because of the central location of Bad Duerkheim, bus and rail connections are perfect, for those who don't plan on driving to the festival.