Wiesbaden Mayor Sven Gerich, left, and German-American Friendship Festival manager Joe Harris tap a keg of beer, signaling the event's opening on Thursday, June 30, 2016. The festival entertained thousands of Americans and Germans over its five-day run, set to end Monday, July Fourth, with a large fireworks display. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany — Germans joined together with Americans to celebrate July Fourth during the German-American Friendship Festival here.
Thousands attended the festival, which began Thursday. It’s the third running of the event, which was reintroduced by Col. David Carstens when he was the commander of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.
“The German-American Friendship Fest is our garrison’s annual opportunity to open our doors and offer some American hospitality to our neighbors and friends,” said Col. Todd Fish, current commander of USAG Wiesbaden.
“Over a glass of beer and some barbecue ribs, there’s a chance to build shared understanding and closer relationships between the U.S. military, civilians, families and our German neighbors.”
The festival featured beer gardens, live music, rides and booths offering food from all over the globe, including American standbys like hot dogs, barbecue ribs and chicken wings.
The event was set close Monday evening after a large fireworks display.
Wiesbaden Mayor Sven Gerich, left, and German-American Friendship Festival manager Joe Harris tap a keg of beer, signaling the event's opening on Thursday, June 30, 2016. The festival entertained thousands of Americans and Germans over its five-day run, set to end Monday, July Fourth, with a large fireworks display. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden commander Col. Todd Fish, left, and Wiesbaden Mayor Sven Gerich toast the opening of the German-American Friendship Festival in Wiesbaden, Thursday, June 30, 2016. Fish said the event is a great way for Americans and their German hosts to socialize. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Pvt. Tylor Tarner, with the 60th Geospatial Planning Cell, plays a carnival game Sunday, July 3, 2016, at the German-American Friendship Festival in Wiesbaden. For a few euros, competitors could try their luck at throwing ping-pong balls into beer steins. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
A young girl falls into a padded landing zone at the Stuntman ride at the German-American Friendship Festival in Wiesbaden, Sunday, July 3, 2016. Thousands of Germans and Americans ate, drank and made merry over the five-day festival, set to end on Independence day with a fireworks display. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Army Garrison Morale, Welfare and Recreation business manager Mark Smith prepares barbecue ribs at the German-American Friendship Festival, Sunday, July 3, 2016 in Wiesbaden. Thousands of locals and Americans enjoyed food, drink and amusement rides at the event, set to conclude on Independence Day Monday. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Bumper cars were just one of the treats at the German-American Friendship Festival, Sunday, July 3, 2016 in Wiesbaden. The event, set to end on Independence Day Monday, also included food, drink and live music. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Members of the band American Hitmen play for the crowd at the German-American Friendship Festival, Sunday, July 3, 2016 in Wiesbaden. The band is made up of U.S. Marine Corps combat veterans. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
The spinning ride at the German-American Friendship Festival in Wiesbaden attracted many brave souls on Sunday, July 3, 2016. The event, which ran from Thursday through Independence Day, featured dozens of rides, food, drink and live music. Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
