Annual Bremen "Freimaak"

Each year since 1035, yes, that is almost 1,000 years ago, the good people of Bremen and their surrounding villages celebrate the harvest time in late October for a period of 17 days. This remnant of the decree of Emperor Conrad II to the local Bishop, gave the medieval peasants the right to hold this "Freimaak", or Free-Market, and the opportunity for merchants, farmers and locals to sell their wares without royal or religious intervention and taxes. It is Northern Germany`s October Fest in a big way.

This carried on year after year for centuries in various ways till the 1800s when the number of vendors coming became so numerous that it demanded some control. Carousels made an appearance and eventually in 1884, with electric lights replacing the gas globes of the era, the fair began to be a festival of rides as well as food and goods to buy.

Except for a brief 3 year break during World War II, the fair has been held each year and is the longest running in existence. Since 1936, the Freimaak has been located in the same location in Bremen near the Haupt Bahnhof (Main Train Station) and consumes the parking facility of over 25 acres for the 17 day event. Today, 380 vendors and merchants, rides and carousels provide a nice break during the cool fall weather for thousands of visitors making the trips, many in organized groups that make it a "tailgate" event from all over Germany. They dress up in costumes, represent ancient groups and just plain have fun.