Father's Day

Father's day is coming up this Sunday. In Germany along the River Elbe, a special Father’s Day tradition is upheld. It is the tradition of Christi Himmelfahrt.  The fathers pull wagons full of alcohol through the streets to celebrate their day. They fill a hand wagon, large enough for a few coolers and maybe small keg with locally crafted hefeweizen, Gewürztraminer, and schnapps, then pass through the city into the forest, walking slowly until the sun has set and the wagon’s contents have been drained. For luck, they also carry bratwurst, mustard, pretzels, Ritter chocolate, and a small hookah.

It is an important tradition to specific places within Germany and will often get out of control with drunken mayhem. Father's day always coincides with Ascension Thursday, a holiday whens all the stores are closed. The men get their beer and later use their wagons to be dragged home after getting drunk. Happy Father’s Day to all the Germans and everyone else who knows how to party.