The weekend after Kilianstag has felt strangely empty for Hans Loidl over the past two years. Because instead of organizing the well-known Leonhardi ride in Siegertsbrunn as chairman of the Leonhardi committee, he had to cancel the festival due to the pandemic. But now the “Leahats” are returning: from Friday, July 8th to Sunday, July 10th, thousands will flock to the Leonhardi Festival. Loidl has found that people have a lot of catching up to do.
SZ: Herr Loidl, are you a little nervous about Friday evening?
Hans Loidl: Why?
Because the beer tapping at the Leonhardifest is waiting for you there. And after a two-year hiatus, you’re probably out of practice…
Tapping a beer like this always brings surprises. It’s different every year, because the pressure in the barrel is never the same. But I’m quite confident that I haven’t forgotten how to tap.
Hans Loidl is organizing the “Leahats”, the Leonhardiritt in Siegertsbrunn, again this year.
(Photo: Claus Schunk)
To what extent was the organization of the lease still routine after a two-year break?
It was a bit more complex than usual. We had our first committee meeting on April 3rd, and then we decided – after consultation with the community – that the festival would take place this year. Since then we have been organizing, which was not easy, especially when it came to getting the horses. Because some horse owners have stopped in the meantime because of Corona, and one of our horse suppliers has unfortunately passed away.
What can visitors look forward to at the weekend?
We are trying to set up a Leonhardi festival like you are used to from the past. There will probably be fewer market drivers because some Fierante have canceled. Otherwise it is the well-known program: from the pilgrims on Saturday morning to the festival service and the subsequent detour on Sunday. We expect more than 30 floats, six to eight carriages and 120 to 140 horses.
How often have you been asked about the Leonhardi Festival in the past few weeks and months?
Countless times. Everyone wanted to know if it was taking place this year. And when it was clear that there would be another Leahats, everyone said: Wonderful, that’s nice! You can tell how big the longing of the people in Siegertsbrunn is for this festival. There is a lot of catching up to do after a two-year break.
What are you personally looking forward to the most?
The best moment for me is the drive around on Sunday after the service. When the train starts to move, first the pioneers and then the festively decorated carriages, it will certainly be a real highlight after the two-year break.
The Leonhardi Festival in Siegertsbrunn starts on Friday evening with an ecumenical service and the beer tapping in the tent. The following day, early in the morning, the Leonhardi bells greet pilgrims from a dozen or so towns. During the day there is a funfair with a folk festival before the boys’ dance takes place in the evening. Sunday begins at 9 a.m. with a festive service in the Leonhardi Church, which is celebrated by Abbot Petrus Höhensteiger from Schäftlarn. This is followed by a tour of the area with the blessing of the floats and horses. After that, the fair and folk festival continue until the afternoon, before the Siegertsbrunn village musicians play to round off the event at 5 p.m.