European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 11, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ingris festival swabian town celebrates 550-year-old fest 72 stripes Magazine August 11, 1994 by Debby Jennings calling All sheep lovers and medieval enthusiasts if you like woo lies and Renaissance fests you Don t want to miss the shepherds festival during the fast weekend of August in mar Groningen Germany. This Small 1,200-year-Ojd Village Between Stuttgart and Heilbronn lies just off autobahn 81. Although it is Seldom mentioned in the guide books on Germany Mark god Ningen is Well known in the swabian Region for its annual shepherds race or Der Schafer Lauf the event is held annually on aug 24 or the following weekend As part of a Shepherd s festival. This year the festival begins Friday aug. 26, and continues until monday aug. 28. Der Schafer Lauf is set for saturday aug. 27. Children and adults will love the Parade race music costumes local crafts and food found at this 550-year-old fest one of the oldest in Swabia. It dates Back As far As 1443, when the festival was first sponsored by the master of the Shepherd called  Bartel had put in Many years As the Shepherd for local flocks and the owner wanted to thank him for his faithful service. The main event is a Barefoot race on a Field of 300 paces in length Between shepherds and the daughters of Active shepherds. The Winters Are crowned the Shepherd King and Queen of the fest and each receive a ram As a prize. Today almost All of the 13,400 inhabitants of mar Groningen get involved in the annual preparation. And implementation of the fest activities the four Day event includes a Parade several theatrical productions in the Sta Thalle including the traditional play entitled de Treue Bartel or the Loyal Bartel authentic Shepherd music and instruments Folk dancing concerts and of course the famous Schafer Lauf. Guests who Are interested in history and the preservation of ancient monuments can also find Many Well preserved remnants of Mark Groningen s past a walking tour through the town will introduce any visitor to numerous historic half timbered buildings. The j mar Groningen  brochure provided by the Public information office in the Rathaus room Sixes an excellent sightseeing guide to the oldest town structures. Many Date Back to the 15th and 16th centuries. There Are four Tower Gates or Stadtmore leading into the town. One of these the Oberes Tor serves As the entry Point for the Parade of shepherds sheep and locals All dressed in Folk costumes or Trachten during the festival j it s a colourful enchanting View of life in Olden times when thousands of sheep from the surrounding farms were herded to Market during the summertime. F the Mark Platz located almost in the Center of town a Home to the beautifully restored Rathaus. This 15th Century building sets the mood for the town Center. It is surrounded by other ancient structures including the rats fable 1414the Gasthaus Krone 1424 a. Traditional shepherds Lodge and restaurant and several or recent buildings housing outdoor cafes. A Fountain called the tie Brunner soothes those who choose to sit i outside for lunch during the warm jays of summer. Just off the Mark Platz the Bartholomaus Kirche on Kirchgasser beckons to visitors with its original frescoes of Christ gothic doors and windows and hand carved antique altar and choir stalls. There has been a Church off this site since 809.i walking a Little South on bet Gasse sightseers discover a unique Church called the Spital Mirche which features a Sanctuary with the old Structure on the left and a new i addition on the right As you enter the front door. There is a contrast in styles but the results a workable blend of architectural achievement. Across the courtyard is one of the oldest buildings in town which now houses a Musi Schule. This Long half timbered building evokes Strong memories of the medieval past. If you return to the Mark Platz and turn Northwest on fistere Casse you will see several Bur Gerhauser or citizen houses dating Back to the 1400s. The oldest privately built Home is located at Schlos Gasse 8. The framework for this residence can be traced to 1347. Other structures of interest to historic preservationists can be found at Schlos Gasse 23 the  Fri it and vegetable Market built in 1495and the obese Kelter wine press and Ungere Kelter both dating to the late 1400s just off wipe Lingass. Each of these May be found in the walking tour brochure provided by the Rathaus information office. For those interested in souvenirs from the festival the Otto Beck Buchan lung Bookstore handles postcards and several books on Der Schafer Lauf. It is located at Mark Platz 3 near the Rathaus. The finale for the four Day fest includes a fireworks display Over Oberes Tor upper Gate on monday evening at 9 30. Don t miss this weekend of Renaissance Celebration. Your kids won t forget this visit to the past and neither will you. 5�%v for is Paul Neubrand left and above the town is marked by Cobblestone streets and meticulously restored half timbered buildings. File travellers tips How to get there mar Groningen is located 121/2 Miles Northwest of Stuttgart and 61/4 Miles West of ludwigs Burg. If you Are travelling South by car on the Stuttgart Heilbronn autobahn no. 81take the ludwigs Burg Sud exit. Take the Stuttgart a Offenhausen exit if you Are driving North from Stuttgart. Parking is limited so plan ongoing Early for spots closest to the Stedt Mitte. Additional information for a Complete program of Shepherd s fest activities a list of local hotels cafes ana1 general information on mar Groningen write Stadt mar Groningen Postrach 1262, Mark Platz 1, w-7145 mar Groningen. Or Telephone 07145-130 or 131 when calling from outside Germany dial your International Access code the country code 49 and drop the first 0. Dates and fees the dates for this year s festival Are Friday through monday aug. 26-29. The Entrance fee for saturday s activities including the Shepherd s race is 19 Marks about $12.50. For sunday s offerings the fee is 15 Marks about $10. Parking is 4 Marks about $2.50. Debby Jennings August 11, 1994 stripes Magazine 13