Wiesenmarkt in Bleiburg

The town of Bleiburg, in today's Lower Carinthia, close to the Slovenian border, celebrates, since 1393, its  biggest festival between September 2nd and 5th.

One can therefore claim that this Festival was first celebrated just about 100 years before Columbus set sail to discover America.

Each year about 130,000 visitors make merry "Auf da Wies'n" and events are measured whether they happened before or after the "Wiesenmarkt".( market on the meadow ")

She: "Let's get married"
He: "Yeah, right after the Wiesenmarkt."

He: "I would like to visit Vienna"
She: "Okay! But we have to be back before the Wiesenmarkt."

You think 'Bertstravels' is exaggerating ? Nooooo!

I heard this dialogue: 
She: "The baby is due soon"
He: " Can't it wait until after the Wiesenmarkt ?
She: " It doesn't know about the Wiesenmarkt."
He: "But you do".

Below: The "Freyung" is planted at the fountain, indicating that the "Wiesenmarkt" will open in 2 weeks:

The traditional bearer of the "Freyung" 

slowly proceeds up the Main Square, 

followed by the Mayor (Bürgermeister) Stefan Vesotschnig

and other dignitaries.

Mayor Vesotschnig and Professor Arthur Ottowitz

place the "Freyung" under lock and key.

Old and Young now look forward 

to the opening of the Wiesenmarkt.

In traditional costumes

the members of the  "Trachtenclub"

participate in this festival.

Sugarbaker Gottfried Stöckl

serves his traditional "Met" ( honeywine )