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After the Offenbach Christmas market had to be canceled last year due to Corona, many Offenbach residents are looking forward to the meeting point in the cozy pre-Christmas season this year.
From November 15 to December 29, the Christmas market opens its gates almost every day and offers plenty of culinary delights as well as a Christmas stage program. The concept has been optimized to comply with distance regulations, and there are also access restrictions for the covered areas. In the past few days, due to the dramatically worsened corona situation in the federal and state governments, the prospects for Christmas markets have also been discussed in some cases. However, the current regulation situation in Hesse is clearly such that Christmas markets can take place. “As an open-air event, this is still justifiable in the current situation,” said Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke, who also expressly points out: “It is also the legal situation in Hesse that in crowded situations in which the distance cannot be maintained, a mask must also be worn in the open air.” Schwenke also emphasizes: “It is In view of the rapid contamination of the unvaccinated and increasing vaccination breakthroughs, it is both a common sense to get vaccinated now – regardless of whether for the first time or as a third vaccination – and it is also a command of common sense to be in the current situation outdoors in the crowd for safety to wear a mask – even at the Christmas market. “
A special feature this year is the presentation of over 40 municipal associations, non-profit organizations and voluntary initiatives in the so-called “club hut” of the city of Offenbach. OB Schwenke: “I am very happy that we can make this offer to our clubs and organizations this year. The past Corona year has shaken many. There were hardly any events, little could be taken and our so colorful club landscape was hardly visible in the cityscape. The idea for the “club hut” came up some time ago – I am particularly pleased that it will be implemented during the Christmas market and that it has been so well received by the clubs. “The Offenbach Christmas market takes place as usual in the city center between town hall and the KOMM shopping center instead of.
The market will be opened on Monday, November 15th at 6 p.m. by Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke at the stage in front of the town hall. The same applies here: if there is a crowd, a mask must be worn. The Christmas market is then open almost every day: Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The market is closed on Death Sunday, November 21, on Christmas Eve and Christmas days.
Appropriate hygiene concept
The organizer of the Offenbach Christmas market, Klaus Kohlweyer (Pro OF GmbH), and the Offenbach health department, with the involvement of the showmen, have worked out a hygiene concept adapted to the current corona situation. On the basis of the announcement by the State of Hesse that Christmas markets can take place without access restrictions and with a view to the fact that the Offenbach Christmas market takes place mainly outdoors, the hygiene concept primarily relies on maintaining the distances in the outdoor area and the reference to pandemic-friendly behavior. There will be no entry controls. The 2G rule is only implemented in the covered lounge areas and in the interior areas. Thanks to the 2G regulation, the rentable huts and seating areas in the dry can also be offered this year. Only those who have recovered or have been vaccinated have access to these areas. The 2G areas are signposted. A security service will make random checks. If you cannot show 2G proof, you have to leave the area.
The stage program also takes place under certain conditions: There will be no performances by larger choirs or groups in order to be able to maintain the necessary distances on the stage. Wind instruments are also not played this year. All artists are vaccinated or have recovered and large cross tables are set up in front of the stage for eating, drinking and entertaining, which also ensure sufficient space in the open air. To the delight of the children, Nikolaus will visit the Christmas market on Sunday, December 5th, together with Knecht Ruprecht, and distribute little surprises on the stage. This year children can only pick them up individually on the stage. On Monday, December 6th, Santa Claus and his angel will be visiting. Despite the necessary minimum distances, all stands can be set up between the town hall and KOMM. None of the dealers from previous years had to be canceled. The city of Offenbach also provides financial support, in which small stands do not have to pay any stand fee and larger ones only have to pay a significantly reduced rate. Additional advertising measures and the security service are also borne by the city of Offenbach.
2021 program
For the first time, municipal associations, non-profit organizations and voluntary initiatives can present themselves in a “club hut” at the Offenbach Christmas market. The offer was already very popular during the previous registration period and over 40 organizations, associations and initiatives will take turns moving into the “club hut” during the Christmas market to advertise their work, collect donations, organize their own club activities or club and Gift items for sale. In addition, the “club hut” will be used for three days as a mobile vaccination station for the city of Offenbach. On November 24th, December 21st and 29th, those wishing to be vaccinated can be vaccinated against corona directly on site between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Visitors will find the “club hut” in the section between the Apotheke zum Löwen and the ADAC shop.
The “club hut” is organized by the Public Relations Office in cooperation with the Offenbach City Marketing Company (OSG) and the Christmas market organizer Pro OF GmbH.
Taking into account the Corona-related conditions, the organizer of the Offenbach Christmas market, Klaus Kohlweyer, has also put together a pandemic-friendly stage program for visitors together with Offenbach artists.
Program and occupancy of the “club hut”: Offenbach Christmas Market 2021
(Text: PM City Offenbach)
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