Linda Weis as a symbolic figure: The countdown to the 100th Handkeesfest is running!

Linda Weis as a symbolic figure: The countdown to the 100th Handkeesfest is running!

The anticipation for the 100th Loschter Handkeesfest in the May flower forest in Lustadt is large. The festival, which takes place from May 1 to 4, 2025, attracts thousands of visitors every year and this year is represented by the special symbol figure Linda Weis, who functions as a handkee woman Elsa. According to Rheinpfalz , many people have been at this anniversary, and the expectations are high. The opening day begins on May 1st at 8:30 a.m. with numerous celebrations and only ends on the evening of May 4th.

Linda Weis is not only an enthusiastic fanin of the handkees festival, but also plays a special role as a handkee woman Elsa on the opening day of the festival. Their presence will surely enrich the festive days and create a nostalgic context in which the tradition of the handkees is celebrated.

festival program and events

The program of the festival is varied and enthusiastic and small. The opening ceremony on May 1 will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the presence of the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition, fixed participants can use ELSA as a photo motif during the day to take souvenir photos. The entire detailed program of the handkeesfest can be found on the official page Loschter Handkeesfescht

• Thursday, May 1st, 2025: 09:00 to 10:00 p.m. (last serving 9:30 p.m.)
• Friday, 02.05.2025: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with "Happy-Hour" and "Feierpend-Party"
• Saturday, 03.05.2025: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with live music from "Flash 'K’ Swag "
• Sunday, 04.05.2025: 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a performance of the brass band of the Musikverein Ottersheim e.V.

The special highlight of the festival will be the presentation of the handkee, which is traditionally served with butter on black bread, curd cheese, onions, chives and radishes. Interestingly, the handkees comes from a cheese dairy in Hesse for this anniversary, and its high fat content makes it particularly tasty.

The history of the handkeesfest

The Handkeesfest has a long tradition and has been celebrated annually since May 3, 1925, with only a few exceptions in the years of the Second World War and during the corona pandemic. The managing directors of the festival, including Anette Kloos, expect a high number of visitors due to the forecast sunny weather. 600 helpers are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the festival.

With 8,500 available standing and seats, the event area in the May flower forest is well equipped for the expected crowds. After May 4th there will be no handkees in Lustadt. According to the tradition, the handkees used to be kept in clay pots to prevent flying from unloading their eggs, which underlines its uniqueness. The 100th Handkeesfest will not only be a festival of the delicacies, but also a chapter in regional cultural history, which is duly celebrated this year.