“Finally we have the Urfahraner Markt back”

Everything is there as you know it from before Corona: the Ferris wheel, the cotton candy, the marquee. “It feels like he never left” – this sentence was heard in many places at the opening of the Urfahraner Markt on Saturday. The fact that the corona crisis made it impossible to hold the traditional format in the past two years did not dampen enthusiasm, quite the opposite.

The atmosphere on the first day of the market was exuberant, and there were already numerous visitors on the fairgrounds in the morning. “Everyone is happy that we finally have the Urfahran market back,” said city councilor Doris Lang-Mayerhofer (VP), who also experienced her premiere as a market officer with the new edition.

“It’s going amazing”

Around twelve o’clock – after the salute of the pillory gunners and the market tour of Mayor Klaus Luger (SP) and City Councilor Lang-Mayerhofer – the speeches and the beer tapping in the marquee followed. After all, traditions want to be maintained.

The city politicians agreed that after the long dry spell caused by corona and the difficult years for the showmen, it was now time again to celebrate social gatherings and the fairground culture. “That’s also what makes this year’s Urfahraner market such a special experience. It’s a festival for all of us,” said Luger.

For a moment there was concern that after the Corona break, the traditional beer tapping could become a challenge. Three and a half punches from the mayor later, however, that was forgotten.

In any case, Lang-Mayerhofer’s expectations of the nine-day spectacle are high: “We’re expecting a record number of visitors. The reservations alone are promising.” Before the compulsory Corona break, the Urfahraner Markt attracted more than 500,000 visitors to the Donaulände, this limit has to be broken.

The first day with more than 100,000 visitors surpassed everything that had happened before. “That’s a new record. It’s going sensationally,” said Anke Merkl, Head of the Tourism and Markets Department, yesterday. The demand is great, for the gastro offers as well as for the showmen and vendors. The opening fireworks were also impressive. “You can see that people enjoy being able to have fun again without corona restrictions,” said Merkl.

That was also the tenor of many visitors on the opening day. “It’s nice that something is happening again after the long break,” said Harald Hofer and Karin Lummerstorfer, who were traveling with their daughter Fiona. There was a lot to discover, and not just for the children’s eyes: “There are many new devices and lots of different delicacies.” Karoline Hofer and Markus Lehner, who enjoyed being able to stroll through the fairgrounds again, were also convinced of this. They reveled in childhood memories – and the ride on the Ferris wheel was almost a must. (jp)

opinion poll

After two years of a corona-related break, the Urfahraner fair was back with a boisterous opening. The OÖN asked around how they liked the new edition and what should not be missing from a visit to the fair.

“There’s a lot going on, it’s nice that something is happening again. We just want to have fun and enjoy a good meal. Later we will also stop by the water slide and the ghost train.”
Karin and Oliver with their children Helena, Alina and Alexander, Hellmonsödt and Walding

“We are very pleased that after two years there is an Urfahraner market again. It’s really great here, it really suits us. There are very cool new rides there, we will definitely go there a few more times.”
Selina and Julie, Wilhering and Linz

“It’s the first market in Urfahr for our little one, and we wanted to show her that. There are many new devices and many different delicacies. We will definitely go eat sausages.”
Harald Hofer and Karin Lummerstorfer with daughter Fiona, St. Peter am Wimberg

“We said to ourselves, now that there is an Urfahran market again after such a long time, we have to stop by and stroll through. Riding the Ferris wheel is a big topic, it brings back childhood memories.”
Karoline Hofer and Markus Lehner, St. Martin and Kollerschlag