Ipfmesse
The Ipfmesse is an annual folk festival in the city of Bopfingen . It always takes place around the first weekend in July. In Bopfingen and the surrounding area, the Ipfmesse is also known as the “fifth season”.
history
The celebration of the Ipfmesse dates back to 1811. This year, King Friedrich I of Württemberg honored the city on July 10 with a visit. On May 24, 1812, the Bopfingen city magistrate asked the king for permission to hold an annual festival with a market on the Ipf in honor of his visit. Since the city was in debt at that time and the market could bring the same benefits, it was allowed to hold a fair on July 10th. One problem with this was that market sales were not very high if July 10th did not fall on a Sunday, as the number of visitors was low on weekdays.
Although markets were forbidden on Sundays according to old Württemberg law, efforts were made in Bopfingen to have an "Ipfmess Sunday" from 1821 onwards. Sunday as the day of the event was legalized as the official measurement day in 1839.
Since the Ipf is 200 meters higher than the city center, it turned out that it was not suitable for holding the Ipf fair, also because of the weather conditions. According to tradition, the location of the folk festival on Sechtaplatz at the foot of the mountain was caused by the fact that a storm raged on the Ipf in 1837, causing chaos and destruction.
Another obstacle to the economic success of the fair was the short duration of the festival. Especially for traders and showmen who are more distant, it was not worth taking the long journey for just one day at the fair. A solution was found by moving the cattle and grocer's market held in October 1842 to Ipfmess Monday. In 1904 this market day was approved. The fourth day, the Ipfmess Saturday, was added to the 150th Ipfmesse in 1961. In 1991 the Ipfmesse got a fifth measurement day, the Ipfmessfreitag.
Events
The traditional fireworks display is held on Ipfmess Friday around 11 p.m. and usually lasts around 10 to 15 minutes. On Ipfmess Saturday there is a parade through the entire city center of Bopfingen, which ends on Sechtaplatz. An ecumenical service will be held in the marquee on Ipfmess Sunday at 10 a.m. Mass Tuesday is part of the family day. There are discounts at the fairgrounds.
Individual evidence
- ↑ IPF and Jagst-Zeitung: Anticipation: 15 questions for Ipfmesse