Life's Adventures: Fasching Parade

Sunday, February 10, 2013
Frankfurt, Germany

"HELAU" everyone calls out! (Pronounced like Hal-lo)

Hollis and I got to experience our first Fasching Parade today. We had loads of fun watching all sorts of costumes (it's like Halloween and Mardi Gras in one) and floats cruise by. After two hours of cannons booming, bands, dancing girls, and costumes galore, we packed it up, even though the floats and parade just kept on coming. We were told that we'd seen about 60 and they said there was probably as many as 200 groups/floats/etc. in all... so many more were still to come. It's not just people in the parade that dress up, but the crowd as well. Babies to Grandparents donned costumes, crazy hats, wigs, sparkles, antennae, face paint, even men in tutu's! Everyone goes crazy for the candy and toys being thrown to the crowd, and as my new young friend, Piper (age 4) exclaimed as candy and confetti came flying towards our faces "I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!" It was certainly the quote of the day!

What is Fasching?
Fasching is the German equivalent of Carnival or Mardi Gras. Originally it was a Pagan festival which came out of ancient Rome or Greece and has in more recent centuries become more associated with the Christian Church. Different areas give it different names, for example Karneval, Fastnacht, Fasnet, Fosnat or Fasching. Officially the season starts on November 11th at 11:11am. In this magic hour, the "Council of Eleven" comes together to plan the events for the upcoming festivities. The official hats of the councils’ members: Colorful fool's caps with little bells. It continues pretty low key for about 3 months. Things really begin to happen in February or March - 7 weeks before Easter. It is a time for people to dress up in fun costumes, go to parades, and party a lot. So, you will see a lot of people drinking at the various parades and many pubs and bars will have Fasching parties.

The following Monday is known as Rosenmontag (Rose Monday). Marching bands, dancers, and floats parade down the streets, throwing confetti, sweets, and toys. The elaborate floats often show caricatured figures mocking politicians and other personalities. Thousands of dressed-up Germans are flocking the streets every year to watch this spectacle.

Faschingsdienstag (Carnival Tuesday) is the last day of Fasching and when most of the festivities happen. More commonly known to expats as ‘Fat Tuesday’ (US) or ‘Shrove Tuesday’ (UK), Faschingsdienstag is not an official holiday but workers usually get the afternoon off and costume balls are held all over Germany. Then quiet Ash Wednesday marks the end of the frenzied fun.

And now to the goods... the PICTURES!

Hollis and her new pals