Bamberger Sandkerwa
http://www.sandkerwa.de (German)

The biggest festival in the town of Bamberg and an attraction to all guests is
the so called "Sandkerwa" which takes place every year at the end of August.
In the narrow streets of "Im Sand" (a district close to the river Regnitz)
there is a long-lasting state of exception. Many inner courts and houses are
opened on these days and many of the old romantic places are changed into
wine-inns or pubs. At the public places and in the hotels there are bands
playing different kinds of music: from German folkmusic to Rock and Pop to
Salsa and Samba. A site with pictures of the "Sandkerwa" and the old town
of Bamberg you can find here (German)!

History:
"Sandkerwa" is the celebration of Consecration of the church "St.Elisabeth"
and was first celebrated on 24th day of August in 1354, the day of "St.Bartholomäus".
That is why this anniversary still gives the timetable for this day.
The tradition of the modern "Sandkerwa" has its origins in 1951, when,
after the chaos of the war, the people decided to reinstall this Consecration again.

The biggest event is the "Fischerstechen" ("Fishermen's Sticking") on Sunday.
A spectacle, where two young men standing on narrow fishing boats in the middle
of Regnitz, try to push each other down with stuffed lances. The pushing movement
of the lance is called "Stechen" - sticking. People from other regions also come
to participate in this event.

The finale is a big fireworks display on Monday evening.