Greifswalder Fischerfest impresses with free entry and record attendance

Greifswalder Fischerfest impresses with free entry and record attendance

Last weekend, the Greifswald Fishing Festival attracted thousands of visitors to the Baltic Sea. With ideal weather, the festival started on July 18th with a record 20,000 guests. This number is particularly impressive considering that a total of 50,000 people attended the event last year. This year, however, there were some innovations: for the first time, entry was free to give more people the opportunity to enjoy the festival. Mayor Stefan Fassbinder described the event as a highlight in the city's annual calendar and part of the maritime tradition, which was also reflected in the usual high number of visitors.

One of the highlights was the impressive “Ryck in Flames” fireworks display, which thrilled people on Friday evening. With around 12,000 spectators, the show was a complete success, even if some visitors, such as the young Spanish couple Carlos and Zara, complained that the fireworks display, which usually took place on Sunday evening, was canceled this year. After the holiday of freedom and affordability, locals and tourists had the opportunity to enjoy the diverse offerings of the 130 stalls, which offered everything from street food to cocktails to game stalls.

Free for everyone

The decision to offer free entry was inspired by the 775th anniversary of the city of Greifswald. This was warmly welcomed by many visitors, especially families. “It’s good business for everyone,” said Heike Kaiser, while her partner Rolf added that it was so much easier to come to such a festival with children. Alicja and Heinz Erdmann, who stop by every year, also appreciated the free access.

Despite the positive reception, there were some critical voices about the prices at the festival site. At many stands you had to dig deep into your pockets for the food and drinks on offer. However, organizers came up with a variety of musical performances presented by bands and DJs on Friday and Saturday to lighten the mood.

Cultural and sporting highlight

An integral part of the program remains the gaff rigging and the world championship in ryckhanging, which made waves again this year. Visitors had the opportunity to see first-hand how the participants demonstrated their skills. With games, carousels and colorful gastronomy, the fishing festival is a celebration for the whole family and will continue to attract many people in the coming days before it ends on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

Overall, the Greifswald Fishing Festival remains a magical event that is all about community, tradition and celebration. Preparations for next year will certainly begin soon, and the hope is that the festival can continue in this form.