Ostfildern celebrates 50 years: festivities and exciting retrospectives!

Ostfildern celebrates 50 years: festivities and exciting retrospectives!

At the weekend there was a lot of celebration in Scharnhauser Park, as Ostfildern celebrated its 50th anniversary as a reform town with a colorful festival weekend. The SchaPanesen e.V. Citizens' Association also celebrated its 25th anniversary. Not only was the past honored here, but also a look into the future.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Scharnhauser Park between the Sophie Scholl House and the town hall was transformed into a veritable sea of ​​celebrations. From 12 p.m. to midnight the whole family got their money's worth. The atmosphere was exuberant, with a party atmosphere, live bands and a colorful display of lights. Various dance groups, acrobats and even a magician entertained the visitors. Fine culinary stands and numerous hands-on activities rounded off the offering.

Reflections on the city's history

During the celebrations, former mayor Herbert Rösch looked back on the city's beginnings and recalled the long development of the Scharnhauser Park district, which today has 8,500 residents. The district was created on the former site of the US military base, which represents a significant change in the region. Archivist Jochen Bender talked about the challenging land negotiations, which were not always easy.

“The development of Scharnhauser Park was significantly promoted by the light rail connection in 2000,” explained the current mayor Christof Bolay, highlighting the city’s exemplary projects. A newly planned model commercial area in Scharnhausen West shows that Ostfildern continues to focus on growth.

Cultural fun for young and old

The theater group “The Scene Sliders” presented scenes from the city’s history during the ceremony. Education and culture were also highlighted as important identity creators for Ostfildern. The city beach and a small bar were particular attractions on both days of the festival. A large sandpit and the water staircase at the townhouse invited families to spend a relaxing time. A lively children's flea market took place at the tree grove, while adults could relax at a church community café.

The musical performances were also particularly well received. Bands like TB Ruit, Karussell and other formations provided great entertainment in the evening. The diverse program was organized by local initiatives such as the SchaPanesen Citizens' Association, KiJu Ostfildern and other institutions, all supported by committed local companies.

A celebration of community

“Cohesion and volunteerism are the driving forces of our urban society,” says Bolay. This idea was also reflected in the festive atmosphere, in which guests from the twin towns of Bierawa (Poland), Montluel (France), Reinach (Switzerland) and Hohenems (Austria) were warmly welcomed. The town square in Scharnhauser Park will be further enhanced by the city beach, which should increase the quality of life in the region.

At a time when cities like Ostfildern are constantly changing and developing, this weekend impressively demonstrated how important cultural events and togetherness in the community are. Stuttgart News and the Filder display have already reported extensively on the festival, which underlined the cohesion in the city and provided a glimpse of the future. After all, cities are living organisms that can offer joy in change and community, as can the Federal Agency for Civic Education determines.