Alpine Boat Race debuts in Rollwitz town
Rollwitz Celebrates 650th Anniversary with a Twist
Rollwitz, a charming town in northern Germany, celebrated its 650th anniversary with a festival filled with music, sports, and a touch of humour. The three-day event, which took place from the 1st to the 3rd of September, was a resounding success, attracting approximately 800 guests.
One of the highlights of the festival was the alternative event to the traditional rubber boat race. Due to a massive blue algae infestation in the small pond on Friday, the organisers had to make a quick decision. Instead of cancelling the event altogether, they introduced a playful twist: a race using inflatable bathtubs instead of rubber boats. This lighthearted change added a fun and lively atmosphere to the celebration.
Another exciting addition to the festival was a three-person ski race, which took place overnight as municipal workers assembled the boards. The race, held for the first time, was a success, with a total of eight teams participating.
The festival tent, the heart of the celebration, was completely full at times during the event. Guests were treated to performances by local groups such as the Parkspatzen kindergarten from Rollwitz and the Klinikzwerge from Pasewalk. The live band "Die Landstricher" and farmer Hellwig also graced the stage on Saturday, entertaining the crowd with their music and stories.
The SV Rollwitz football team, winners of the district championship 24/25 and district cup winners 2025, were honoured in the festival tent on Saturday. Their achievements were met with applause and cheers from the audience, adding to the festive spirit of the day.
Despite the unexpected turn of events with the rubber boat race, the organisation team handled the situation admirably. They considered moving the race to the village pond but ultimately decided against it. The resilience and creativity displayed by the team ensured that the festival ran smoothly and that the guests had a memorable experience.
As the sun set on the third day of the festival, the guests left Rollwitz with smiles on their faces, looking forward to the town's next celebration. The 650th anniversary festival may have had its challenges, but it was a testament to the spirit of the town and its people, who turned adversity into an opportunity for fun and camaraderie.
In the midst of the festivities, a home-and-garden twist transformed the traditional rubber boat race due to a blue algae infestation, with participants instead using inflatable bathtubs, adding a comical element to the celebration. To keep the spirits high, a new three-person ski race was introduced during the late-night hours, carried out successfully with eight participating teams, creating an exciting home-and-garden-themed twist to the town's lifestyle.
