Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Assumption Day in the Werdenfels region mixes pre-Christian traditions with the Christian story of the Assumption of Mary. In pre-Christian times, medicinal herbs were picked in mid-August, at a period of peak potency. This much-loved tradition was incorporated into the Church calendar. The tradition continues still: on the day before the celebration, children gather bunches of flowers from meadows and gardens. The flowers are made into bouquets and bound onto long poles. The entire family dresses for the occasion in traditional folk costumes and gather in the church square before the Mass and blessing of the flowers.

Even the children are included in the Bierfest. These girls and boys are wearing the outfits of the Werdenfels region, the area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Of course, a beer fest has to have music, and plenty of bands were on hand to provide the proper music to accompany a liter of beer.

Bringing up the rear of the parade, the beer wagon.