Strong together: Kastl is planning a historic Thanksgiving parade in 2025

Strong together: Kastl is planning a historic Thanksgiving parade in 2025

Anticipation is simmering in the Kastl parish as plans for the historic Thanksgiving procession in 2025 are gathering pace. On Friday evening, around 100 representatives from various clubs, organizations and the village community gathered in the Schützenhaus hall to work together on the preparations. The kindergarten and the parish council were also there to contribute their ideas and energy to the event.

The meeting was chaired by Lukas Haberkorn, who represented the festival committee chairman Arno Stahl, who was unable to attend at short notice. He reviewed the original plans for the pageant, which was originally scheduled for 2020, and explained how the pandemic prevented the event from taking place. “A final cancellation was never an issue for us,” said Haberkorn, emphasizing that the organizers quickly agreed that the festival would take place, albeit later.

Parade and program

After intensive discussions, the new date for the Thanksgiving procession was set for September 14, 2025. “It wasn’t easy to find a free date,” said Haberkorn, who was relieved that everything was now dry. What is particularly pleasing is that many of the 2020 contributors are returning to their roles, making the transition in the organization easier.

A significant change is that the community now takes responsibility for the move, rather than the parish as in the past. This decision was accepted by those present as it takes into account the new structures of the parishes.

Haberkorn presented the concrete plans for the festival weekend. A large marquee for 2,000 people will be provided by the Hütten brewery, and the Kemnath monastery brewery will serve its traditional Wiesenfest beer. The program will extend over the entire weekend, with the Troglauers kicking things off instead of a Bayern 1 party. “The price increases sometimes bother us,” admitted Haberkorn, but they are determined to hold the festival as usual.

A call for help was also made. Haberkorn asked the village communities for active support in setting up, holding and dismantling the festival. The decoration of the harvest crowns and floats is particularly important. “Please sow flowers generously in spring so that we can draw on the full in September,” he appealed to those present.

Safety and traffic control

Another issue was safety during the move. The installation will take place for the first time in Donatusstrasse and Heckenring before the parade takes place over the main street to Schulstrasse. The start is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Haberkorn emphasized that two accompanying persons are required per float to ensure safety - a measure that was taken in coordination with the police.

Traffic regulations will also be strict: the town will be closed to car traffic from 12 p.m. No-parking signs are posted in advance and vehicles parked illegally must be towed in an emergency. To make travel easier, there will be a disabled parking space at the southern entrance to the town, as well as bicycle parking spaces to encourage environmentally friendly travel.

Also new is the sale of drinks and bratwursts along the parade route to provide festival visitors with culinary delights. “We want to increase the atmosphere along the route,” explained Haberkorn.

The search for additional contributors remains a central issue. The historical school class is looking for children between the first and ninth grades who are willing to go along in historical clothing. A total of around 50 groups and floats are expected to take part, with over 400 people taking part.

Andrea Zeitler, the chairwoman of the Catholic Women's Association, made an appeal to those present: "We urgently need cake donations for Sunday afternoon. We know from experience that there can never be enough." Coffee machines and thermos flasks were also requested to support sales in the Schützenhaus.

The meeting ended with strong applause and noticeable motivation. There is great anticipation for the historic Thanksgiving procession in 2025, and Lukas Haberkorn summed it up: “It is a joint effort by everyone involved that triggers great enthusiasm.” The parish of Kastl can look forward to an unforgettable celebration in September.