Celebrate community: district harvest festival delights in Kirchheim!

Celebrate community: district harvest festival delights in Kirchheim!

Last weekend, more precisely on October 12, 2025, around 500 guests celebrated this year's district harvest festival in Kirchheim. The event took place on the former Boß farm, which is now run as part of the generational farm run by Kai and Reinhard Schornstein. The motto “Connection and Appreciation” suggested right from the start of the celebrations that it was not just about the harvest itself, but above all about the gathering of consumers and farmers. The Hersfeld-Rotenburg district farmers' association organized the festival and thus created an important framework for this exchange.

The festival began with a solemn thanksgiving service held in the farm's cozy barn. Here Pastor Michael Zehnder and Pastor Melanie Hetzer emphasized the importance of agricultural services. The performance of the children from Kirchheim's Rainbow Kindergarten was particularly touching, as they gave people goosebumps with explanations on the topic of thanks and a cheerful Thanksgiving song. The event was accompanied musically by the Kirchheim trombone choir under the direction of Inge Wittich, which wonderfully underlined the festive atmosphere.

A feast for the senses

After the service was over, the physical well-being of the visitors was given top priority. The offering was diverse: everything from fresh coffee and delicious cake to crispy waffles and hearty dishes was represented. It quickly became clear that the culinary tradition of Thanksgiving should not be underestimated. After all, it's not just about giving thanks for the harvest, but also about enjoying regional specialties together. The harvest festival, an old tradition in Germany, has its roots in agricultural cultures, as people celebrated good harvests in ancient times. Today is a great opportunity to consciously address the issues of food and sustainability.

The celebrations not only offer a festive setting, but also help to promote regionality and respectful handling of food. “We would like to thank all the volunteers,” said Jörg Schäfer, chairman of the district farmers’ association. Anke Roß, the managing director, also emphasized the important support from local groups and the great interest of the population in such celebrations. “It’s nice to see how many people come together here,” she said happily.

Traditions and customs

As history shows, Thanksgiving has deep-rooted traditions. In Germany it is officially celebrated on the first Sunday in October - in Protestant and Catholic communities and at non-church festivals. Typical customs include the harvest crown, which is woven from ears of grain, flowers and ribbons, as well as grateful services with decorated altars made of fruit, vegetables and bread. A variety of festivities have been established in the various regions of Germany, which provide a lot of variety and underline the cultural richness of Thanksgiving.

In summary, it can be said that the district harvest festival in Kirchheim was not only a successful event, but also an important platform to strengthen the connection between farmers and consumers. At a time when the value of local food and sustainability is more in focus than ever, the festival had a special meaning - both for the community and for each individual.

For more information about the Thanksgiving festival and its history, visit Traditionart Leben or find out more about the event details on the website of [Erlangen-Höchstadt](https://www.erlangen-hoechstadt.de/aktuelles/ Veranstaltungskalender/kreiserntedankfest/).