When we were just planning to move to Germany, I did a lot of researching day trips we could go on, and the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival was one of the day trips I was most excited about. I mean, what better way of easing my way into German culture, than a pumpkin festival!
We took this trip weeks ago, life has been busier than expected. You know, things like learning how to hang laundry out to dry the old-fashioned way, and testing my body’s resilience to carbs and beer. So here I am in the final days of October, posting pumpkin pictures. But it’s too good to not share!
Every year, between the first week of September and first week of November, Ludwigsburg hosts it’s annual Pumpkin Festival, which brings folks from all over. Each year there is a different theme, and this year the theme was Pumpkin Forest. There were all types of forest creatures and characters made out of…you guessed it…pumpkins!
There are displays of different types of pumpkins from all over the world, as well as a variety of pumpkin food items – wines, oils, seeds, soups, waffles, you name it! As well, your fair share of German beers, of course!
Beyond the pumpkin displays, there are tons of activities for families and kids – playgrounds, a few rides. There are the most adorable little fairy-tale houses, built to resemble different fairly tales, such as Rapunzel’s Castle, where a long, blonde braid would lower down from the top. One of my favorite moments was when the braid was lowering, hearing the excited kids, yelling, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let your hair down”, in German. Pretty heart-melting! And the gingerbread house that Hansel and Gretel were lured into by the scary witch. More scary than heart-warming, but still nostalgic.
Beyond the Pumpkin Festival, Ludwigsburg is a lovely city. The Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg, or Ludwigsburg Castle for us Texans, is a palace that was built in the 1700s and is knows as the “Versailles of Swabia” because of it’s familiar appearance. It has a huge courtyard and tours are offered, where you can actually go inside and see the interior of the palace.
And for flower-lovers, one of the best parts of the palace is the immaculate flower gardens, with every type of flower imaginable.
When you’re done at the Pumpkin Festival, or touring the palace, Ludwigsburg has plenty to offer when it comes to shopping and eating.
If you’re in Germany in the fall, Ludwigsburg, is a perfect day-trip, and opportunity to get your pumpkin fix.
More info on the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival, can be found at the following site: http://www.kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en