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.