Opening of the 650th Pützchens Markt „Bonn knows fun fairs“
Bonn · In case you felt like being catapulted into the carnival season already yesterday - you’re not far off. The opening of the Pützchens Markt was dominated by merry people in costumes, dancing and having fun.
The same goes for the fun fair staff - relaxed and cheerful were the attributes all around. Albert Ritter, president of the German fun fair association (DSB), said during the opening of the 650th Pützchens Markt: „A thank you goes out to the city of Bonn and its citizens for embracing these traditions, making them part of the city.“ His words were followed by the request for the 3,500 people in the Bavaria tent to pause for a few seconds: „Who wants to set a sign for freedom, peace and tolerance after Berlin and Barcelona, may now stand.“
For a brief moment, everyone in the tent stood up. Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan must have secretly practiced the keg tapping: In his second year on the job he needed just one strike. With this fun fair was officially opened and will run until Tuesday, September 12. It is not clear, if the list of honored guests is this long due to the big anniversary of the fun fair or the upcoming elections - NRW vice minister president Joachim Stamp (FDP) was there as well as Rhein-Sieg.Kreis district administrator Sebastian Schuster.
One major difference compared to last year: 2016, the thermometer showed 35 degrees Celsius and the sun was shining. On Friday, it was only 18 degrees and drizzling rain kept falling from grey skies. True fans don’t let that faze them. Several thousands lined the streets during the almost one-kilometre-long parade.
During all this spectacle, one man was absorbed in his thoughts, in the middle of the Bavaria tent: There was a load off Harald Borchert’s shoulders. The furious concert of the Beethoven orchestra with the Blääck Fööss on Thursday night and the happy opening day on Friday made him look forward to these coming days.
What he is particularly looking forward to: The Archbishop Rainer Maria Kardinal Woelki’s visit on Sunday. At the end of the day there was praise from a professional: The NRW fun fair queen Daryl Fee I. Told the General-Anzeiger: „Pützchens Markt is a splendid mix of tradition and modern. Bonn knows fun fair.“
For more information on the Pützchens Markt, please click here for our service link. (Original text: Holger Willcke Translation: Mareike Graepel)
