The Bernemer Kerb, originally the Bornheimer Kirchweihfest, is one of Frankfurt's oldest and most traditional festivals and has been celebrated since 1608. 2007 marked the 400th anniversary of this event and at the same time the organiser, the Bernemer Kerwegesellschaft 1932, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the association. The Kerb takes place on the weekend of the second Sunday in August on the fairground at the Johanniskirche in Bornheim, which is popularly known as the "Zwiwwelkerch" (Onion Church) due to the shape of its bell tower.
There will be live music, Frankfurt specialties and socializing throughout the festival along Obere Bergerstraße. After the Kerb is rung in on Friday in Bornheim's restaurants, the people of Bornheim fetch the Kerwe tree from the Enkheim forest on Saturday and set it up on the festival square. This is followed by the grand parade through the streets of Bornheim and the ceremonial opening of the Kerb. On Kerbesunday, according to old tradition, the "Gickelschmiss" (cock-beating) takes place in the afternoon, an amusing spectacle in which the participants, blindfolded and with the help of a flail, have to hit a "Dippe" (clay pot). Whoever smashes the pot gets a live rooster as a prize.
Another highlight is "Bernemer Wednesday," the last day of festivities at the Bernemer Kerb. Live music will be played at four music hot spots on the upper Berger Straße. All of Bornheim's clubs and inns take part, offering drinks and culinary delights. Bernemer Mittwoch stretches from Bornheim Mitte to Falltorstraße. The end of the Kerb is ceremoniously announced with the "Lisbeth Burning" which takes place in the late evening. The Lisbeth, a doll which was tied high up on the Kerwe tree as the patron saint and watched over the festival the whole time, is now symbolically burnt. This ritual is comparable with the funeral of the prince carnival. But don't worry, after a year the Lisbeth sits again chipper on her throne and brings renewed luck to the Kerb.
