The Annakirmes 2024 is history – and it was a great fair. Finally, big rides and new fairground attractions like the Airborne, the giant ghost train Daemonion, the rafting track Rio Rapidos and the roller coaster Alpen Coaster – there were more fairground attractions than in a long time that were worth stopping at and marveling at, so that the relatively small Ferris wheel Liberty Wheel, at 38 meters, also fit in visually.
The machines that were criticized last year, which were spread across the entire square as gap fillers and into which you have to put money to win some kind of rubbish, were there again. Also because site manager Achim Greiff had to compensate for the last-minute cancellation of the Rallye Monte Carlo go-kart track and fill a 700 square meter fairground area. In addition, people are definitely in demand for this type of fairground entertainment – in contrast to lottery booths, which are no longer as popular.
There remain the never-ending discussions about fair prices and stall fees. The showmen complain – of course – that they have to pay significantly more in Düren than elsewhere. But why is that actually the case? The Annakirmes must cover its costs, that is a municipal requirement. The city does cover the advertising costs for the fair, but the showmen have to cover the rest of the costs – around 500,000 euros – in full. And these costs are rising, not least because, for example, the safety requirements for the fair are constantly increasing.
There are certainly other points of view here. The city of Neuss, for example, subsidizes its citizens’ shooting festival because it sees it as an important marketing tool. Also because the fair creates added value. According to a study by the German Showmen’s Association, an average of €3.50 stays in the city per fair visitor. Because the showmen shop there, because fair visitors use public transport, take taxis, pay parking fees – the list goes on and on.
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Annakirmes 2024: Showmen draw mixed conclusions
The Annakirmes is certainly also a marketing tool for Düren and one of the major events that makes the city known far beyond the region’s borders. Perhaps it is time for those responsible to rethink the issue of stand fees. So that the Annakirmes remains a good and affordable place for showmen.
