European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 2, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Loi fasts a great american tradition by Ron Mckinney staff writer somebody somewhere decided March was not such a Good month to Host festivals in Germany. Not when the weather could be so cold a and one intention was to warm German american relations. So they say. But Darmstadt wanted to Host the first Volk fest of the season. And that meant hosting it in mid March when the weather in Germany is about As predictable As a Roulette wheel. This year Darmstadt lost. Temperatures ranging in the 30s kept attendance and sales Well below 50 percent of a similar Volk fest held in Darmstadt last june. Quot if it d been Here last weekend we would be been packed Quot lamented it. Col. William Harkey the Darmstadt military Community spokesman. The previous weekend had seen temperatures soaring into the Low 50s throughout Central Germany Khalid Mahmood who Sells to shirts and other clothes at German american Volk fests throughout the year said that this was his worst weekend in sales in four or five years. Quot it s too cold Quot he shivered. Not everyone however was so concerned about the frigid temperatures. Certainly not while the convivial Volk fest was the hottest ticket in town. While most people were covered in cold weather clothing pfc. Eric Mourland was hanging out in knee length shorts and Matching shirt. Quot it s hype out Here. I had to come out anyway i could Quot he said. Not that Mourland was cold a to the contrary he was hot dancing and jiving and flirting with nearly every passing girl. Quot All these Beautiful women out Here i be out of my senses Quot Mourland said. Quot i m talking about German and american  Mourland 19, pointed out two women walking by and said he d be right Back. A moment later he returned alone his eyes still sparkling and his contagious smile As Broad As Ever. Quot she gave me the evil Eye Quot he explained unaffected by the rejection. Sgt. Michael Calhoun had no such bad Luck. For one he was walking out with his Friend spec. Angela Chester. And in Chester s arms was a cardboard Box containing a dozen assorted Beer mugs and an ashtray that Calhoun had won. Quot this is kind of like a Hobby Quot said Calhoun who had similar Luck winning another dozen mugs on a previous night by bouncing a pingpong Ball into the glasses. But for Calhoun a Volk fest in t just for playing with pingpong balls. It s also a great place to taste the different culinary delicacies ranging from mexican fajitas and German Rind Wurst to Good of american Steak sandwiches. Of course there s a lot More to Volk fests than winning Beer mugs ogling women and eating. Kina Rhine a 16-year-old Sophomore at Frankfurt american High school said that vol fests Are always popular among students. During the week she said they la talk about which fest they plan to hit. Being away from the shopping malls and arcades in America leaves a gaping Hole in the teen Ager s social Calendar. Quot there s hardly anything to do Over Here Quot Rhine said. Volk fests she said help fill that void. Not everyone at Volk fests is there primarily As a social event. Spec. Eric Healey and sgt. Matthew Dymidowski two military policemen on foot patrol were on hand one evening to Calm a Small crying child outside the bumper cars. �?1 Kristina Stewart had been deserted by two friends who had tickets for the bumper cars. And that left her in tears. Dymidowski put his Arm around the crying 7-year-old, and sat with her until the ride ended and she was rejoined by her friends. Police duty at this Volk fest has been relatively quiet the two military policemen said. Quot really lost children is the biggest thing Quot Dymidowski said. And helping children like Kristina is one part of their Job that is Nice. Quot it makes the cold nights worthwhile Quot Dymidowski said. Volk fests Are also a major drawing card to germans. It s their Opportunity to browse on a military base. It also Means they get to Sample american food and even american Beer and wine. For Simone Ross a 23-year-old receptionist at a Darmstadt computer firm it was just a matter of hanging out with her american friends. Quot just to see what s going on to see who s Here Quot said Ross. Quot the people the americans Are just Nice and  machine made smoke thundering music and Bright tights add to the excitement of a dizzying ride at a recent Volk fest in Darmstadt Germany. Vol fests usually feature Many different types of foods. Father and son Are transfixed by the dizzying Speed of a ride called the lion. A amps photos by Jim Derheim two Young fest goers enjoy the screams of their friends on a twirling ride. A girl makes friends with a Pony in a quiet Corner of a fest tent. Sonja and John Chittester proudly display a Pink elephant won in a raffle at Darmstadt Germany. Mugs and glasses of All sizes await a Tucky toss. Restock Edathe festivals fairs and special activities with Host nation visitors Are about to burst out All Over. Already under Way is Karlsruhe s 72nd German american Volk fest the first of two Community fairs it hosts each year it continues through sunday on the Airfield behind the american shopping Center in Karlsruhe. The fest features rides a mix of ethnic foods and live entertainment including rappers ,c. Who will perform saturday festivities conclude with a fireworks display. For More information Contact Judy Figueroa at ets 376-6366. Here is a sampling of other events Spring Volk fest Patrick Henry Village  Germany. April 3-12, a Rinju test Pioneer Cavern Hanau Germany april i 5 20 annual Spring Tair Torrejon Alt Spain april 2-1 20. Carnival i i Hon Barracks our Hor , april 10 May 10. May carnival Pirn teens Germany May 1-10. Volk fest ready Cavern am Huffe Bur Germany May Cio Telephone is 323-738 1. Friendship week Kaiserslautern Germany May 110 Volk fest bal Imhausen Cavern Germany May cl-1 1 country test Harrau military i of Mummy Germany May 20 Lime 2. Telephone 322-8550. Volk fest american Resl rounds near Reese Asem an Shur Germany May 27-une9. Volk fest Harvey Barracks kit in a Germany May 28 june 8 Friendship test Otler frer Kaiser Lautem Germany june 13-14 summer Volk fest Cambrai or list h Cavern Darmstadt june 12 if. Summer carnival Vogel Weh Germany june 26-july s. Volk fest Ostmark Frankfurt Germany june 26-july s. American Independence Day Celebration Washinton old f tall Tyne amp Wear England july 4. Volk fest Hutten Weg Berlin july 27-Auk. 9. Telephone 010 21 1 3290. Volk fest Gie Belstadt Germany july 30-Auk. 2 summer fest Budinger Germany aug. 14-1h. Telephone 122 8550. Oktoberfest carnival recreation area across from Rhein Mam All Germany sept. 4-7, Telephone ets 330-7586, fall fest Pioneer Cavern Hanau oct. 1-6. Telephone 122 85 so in addition . Airfields in Britain hold summer open houses with Static and flying displays that Are Well attended by britons also the Torrejon Community will be conducting several activities with the spaniards during the next two months to Mark the closing of the air base these and other events will he listed in stripes weekly Calendar. A Marian Hamilton 12 stripes Magazine april 2, 1992 april 2, 1992 stripes Magazine 13