Discussion about alternatives to the Offenbach Mainuferfest

• ofJonas Nonnenmann

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As in previous years, the Mainuferfest in Offenbach will probably not take place. What are the alternatives?

It is a major event for Offenbach: up to 50,000 people come to the Mainuferfest every year, the “Festival of Clubs”. For two days, sports and cultural associations present themselves between the Büsingpalais and Isenburg Palace; Visitors get insights into other cultures between Bengali lamb curry, gyros and paella.

Last year, the popular festival was canceled due to the corona pandemic. Can it still be saved this year? Because “currently every planning is like looking into the crystal ball”, as Mayor Felix Schwenke (SPD) put it, the city invited the clubs to an exchange via video conference. Schwenke presented several options to the more than 70 participating clubs, the city announced – the postponement of the festival to October, the relocation to a restricted area, the relocation to the stadium on Bieberer Berg and the presentation of the clubs on the city’s website a face-to-face event. In the event of a cancellation, a donation to the clubs is also possible.

In the case of a face-to-face event, proof of a vaccination or corona tests would be mandatory on site, the city announced. It is still unclear whether it will be possible to serve drinks and sell food this year. According to the city, the clubs expressed reservations, especially with regard to a possible postponement to October. Because of the restrictions imposed by the Corona regulations, many would have argued that the festival should not take place again until 2022.

Decision in June

“Almost all” those present voted in the final vote for a combination of a brochure in which the clubs can introduce themselves and a small donation.

Offenbacher Stadtmarketinggesellschaft mbH (OSG) was given the task of creating a corresponding concept for the brochure. According to Schwenke, the decision about this year’s festival has to be made in June due to timing. jon

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