Kirmes in Laffeld

Now that spring is here all of the small towns are holding festivals, which appear to be sponsored by each town's Schuetzenbruderschaft, or shooting club. The Scheutzenkoenig, or king, is the best marksmen, although we have learned that there is a little bit of politics involved because that individual will then spend around 2,000 euro during the year of his "reign" buying rounds of beer. Laffeld had 2 parades, (they seemed identical to us but we didn't really know what was going on), and each time the royal court stopped across the street from our house so that the bands and swordsmen could pass back and forth for inspection. It was fun and we were able to meet some of our neighbors.