Volkfest of Canstatter Wassen

So I went to 163rd Volkfest at Canstatter Wassen in Stuttgart. It's kind of like Stuttgart version of Oktoberfest only not quite as big....although they basically fight for the top or best every year. It's just not as well known. There is a huge parade...I mean huge! And many beer tents and rides and a market and lots and lots of food! I went to the parade on Sunday morning and then wandered around the fsetival for a bit. The most famous symbol of the festival is the fruit tower that is almost 100 years old. (For more historical information about the tower and the rest of the festival, go to: http://www.cannstatter-volksfest.de/index.php?id=50&L=1 It's in English.) And here it is:

And here is the beginning of the parade:

And the Wasenhasi (the rabbit) who is the festival mascot:

And a cool stein float!

And the float commemorating the fruti tower! The float was covered in real fruit and very cool in-person, by the way!

And I will post more pictures from the parade on the next posting....they only let me put five picture on each posting.....