JURA-Volksfest Neumarkt: No Animals in Use and Adjusted Parade

Due to weather conditions, no animals will be used in the JURA-Volksfest parade in Neumarkt this year. As the city of Neumarkt, the organizer, reports, the decision was made in light of the current weather forecast with temperatures clearly above 30 degrees, following discussions with specialist departments and in coordination with the local veterinary office.

According to the city, temperatures in the city center are expected to be 4 to 5 degrees higher than predicted on Sunday. Under the unchangeable framework conditions of the parade, a one-time exclusion of the planned animals has therefore been decided.

No Horses, Donkeys, or Riding Animals in the Parade

Several parade highlights are affected by the change. The honor guests do not ride in carriages but instead travel together on a large parade wagon, which is pulled by a historical tractor. Some associations must also do without the originally planned carriages. Riding groups and donkey groups cannot participate with animals either.

The parade wagons, originally intended to be pulled by horse teams, will remain part of the parade this year. However, they will be pulled by tractors instead of horses or donkeys as an exception.

Additional Measures Due to the Heat

According to the city, the high temperatures affect not only animals but also participants and spectators. Therefore, the festival brewery has ordered additional sunshades. These will be set up along Marktstraße and at the entrance to the festival grounds.

Additionally, with the support of the Neumarkter Glossnerbräu, a water station will be set up at the level of the Rathaus-Apotheke. There, employees of the festival brewery will distribute chilled drinks to parade participants. The city asks all participants and visitors to ensure adequate sun protection themselves.

City Wants to Maintain Tradition

The city emphasizes that this is a one-time decision. According to Mayor Markus Ochsenkühn, the tradition of using horses and donkeys in the parade and the horse show will generally be preserved. For this, the city wants to advocate for adapted framework conditions.

According to the city, the mayor has already discussed with the administration for future parades a time shift to cooler morning hours. The topic will now be coordinated with the city council committees and other affected groups and institutions. The aim is to optimize framework conditions so that a varied and traditional parade with people and animals can continue to take place in the future.

Route and Start of the Parade

The parade starts on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Freystädter Straße. The route leads via Ringstraße and Bahnhofstraße with a return journey, continuing through Marktstraße and along the Kurt-Romstöck-Ring to the festival grounds. At the entrance to the festival grounds, the parade will be moderated again.