Once we arrived end of May in Suhl to work on our Internet travel guide. It was cold and rainy. A few days later this was replaced by an unusual heat wave.
Before this heat wave began we visited an event - the "Heinrichser Maifest". My son recommended tit and joined us as a guide.
We stayed also in his place, had good company and saved money.
Suhl, the most important town in Southern Thuringia and Heinrichs is now part of Suhl.
The "Heinrichser Maifest" had its 12 th. anniversary this year and the money collected will help to renovate the historical town hall.
We arrived early enough not to miss the grand official opening at 2:00 pm and to familiarize ourselves with the program and to stroll through the alley with all the vendors and musicians.
We can not list the numerous events which take place in Thuringia. Just visit the tourist office of the town or village where you are staying and ask.
If you are lucky, you may find a person who can speak some English.

I hope that the responsible officials in Ontario read this statement because they told us several times that everybody in Germany speaks English and that their is no need to attract them to our province in the German language. How many people speak French in Ontario?

Suddenly we heard some explosions. Elizabeth jumped. But it was not a terrorist attack - it was the official opening of the festival was announced. We rushed the old "Rathaus" (the German name for town hall).

We talked to many of the very friendly craftsmen. Elizabeth, my wife used her dictionary when needed and most the time the conversation ended with a big laugh. I was very proud of her because even I had problems sometimes in understanding the local dialect. I was feeling like when I was in Newfoundland I often could not understand a single word, but enjoyed the friendliness of the people.
Despite the bad weather the festival area became more and more crowded and the smell of barbecued sausages was in the air. Luckily, we did not eat lunch before going to the "Heinrichser Maifest".

The Celtic background of this area is visible everywhere. We visited the "Celtic Spa" (Keltenbad) in Bad Salzungen and here many craftsmen dedicated their work to the Celts.
After the official opening was over all the activities of this event started. Live medieval music was played, performers in medieval costumes appeared and people started to enjoy the offered food and drinks.

The musicians were essential to create a unique medieval atmosphere.

I was really fascinated by their performances and their costumes.
I can spend hours talking to musicians, actors and vendors. I do the same in Canada when volunteers from all over North America meet to bring historical events such as the siege of Fort Erie back to live.
Elizabeth who I consider to be a shopping monster had great fun talking in her special German to almost all of the vendors.

Because this was the beginning of our tour through Thuringia, she hesitated to spend too much money on the "Heinrichser Maifest" in Suhl.
At the end of our trip all her shopping money was gone but she told me that she got very unique things and that most of the items on her wish list were cheaper than in Canada - even when they have been imported from the USA such as perfumes and creme.
Please be always aware that all shown prices include the applicable VAT (value added tax) and that on events like this you may be able to get a better price than shown when you talk to the vendors.