They can be heard from a distance: the loud booming horns of the rides and the electronically altered voices of the commanders who loudly and effusively announce the next round. Until October 3rd, visitors to the autumn festival, which takes place on a meadow in Valentinspark in Unterschleißheim, can look forward to the various stalls and stands.
Also because the Oktoberfest is canceled for the second year in a row due to the corona pandemic, he is happy to finally be able to set up one of his three bumper cars again, says Kurt Geier. The showman grew up in Unterschleißheim and organized the festival replacement in the city. “Somehow we have to earn our living,” says the 40-year-old and adds angrily: “The aid money is only partially received.” He also misses “putting a smile on the face of the visitors”. As a showman, that’s his calling, assures Geier. In any case, numerous good-humored guests can be seen at the Valentinspark-Wiesn.
There is still a lot to do for two weeks in the Valentinspark in Unterschleißheim – smaller than at the Lohhofer Volksfest.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
In Unterschleißheim, a maximum of 1500 visitors are allowed to enter the fenced-in festival area at the same time; the number of people and the application of the 3G rule are checked by the security service at the entrance. If the distances cannot be kept, for example on the family-friendly roller coaster “Pirate Island”, a mask should be worn. All over the meadow, visitors are reminded by posters to keep their distance. This is also the case at the Wilderer Alm shooting gallery: “Keep your distance, the shooting is back in focus here!” Is written on a sign.
The adults in the beer tent make sure they don’t get too close.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
The shooting range belongs to Alexander Diebold, as does the chain carousel in Valentinspark. He has been a showman for more than 30 years. In 2020 he was only able to set up the carousel twice, but this year he was at six events. “That’s not much, but better than twice or not at all,” says Diebold. The Bavarian Hygiene Protection Ordinance throws the showmen “a stick between the legs”, he thinks. The first two Corona aid were “poor”, he only received the December aid in July, reports the 58-year-old. “So much for the bazooka,” murmurs Diebold, alluding to the multi-billion dollar economic stimulus package from SPD Finance Minister Olaf Scholz. He looks seriously over the edge of his horn-rimmed glasses. After the election, he feared “reprisals” again, he says, meaning heightened contact restrictions. They were particularly bad for him. “I need people around me.”
The Oktoberfest in Valentinspark lives up to its name. The festival area is in lush green.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
On Sunday mornings, the rides are still rather sparsely occupied, but at lunchtime, more and more families with children flock to the site. Many older visitors walk purposefully towards the large decorated marquee, from which brass music can be heard. Meanwhile, cheerful children’s screams mix with the loud chugging of the roller coaster, bass-heavy pop music and the booming horns of the children’s carousel. Here vehicles such as a pink Barbie truck or a bright yellow ADAC helicopter turn leisurely in a circle.
Claudia Pianka sits on a bench next to the ride and waits for her son. For her, the Unterschleißheim autumn festival is “an enrichment”, as she says. “It brings back a little more normalcy. And it’s great to see how much fun my son has.”
For a long time, Geier’s bumper cars, Diebold’s chain carousel and the rides of many colleagues had to stand still. Thanks to the autumn festival at the Valentinspark-Wiesn, they too can go back to their job, at least for the next two weeks. How things will go on after that, nobody knows at the moment. Corona is not over yet.