Andi Goldberger and Willi Litzlbauer celebrate an anniversary with “their” village festival

For 30 years, the last Sunday in July has been a special date for many: the legendary village festival is taking place in Waldzell the day after tomorrow. Organized from the beginning by Willi Litzlbauer, an unparalleled organizational talent. “His contacts reach from Pontius to Pilate,” says someone who should know: ski jumping legend Andreas Goldberger. Andi, who is still skinny as a rake, has traveled from Mondsee to Waldzell on his racing bike for the “village festival press conference.” Press conference is actually the wrong term. A good handful of people have gathered in Willi Litzlbauer’s arbor to revel in “thirty years of memories.” “Goldi and Poldl” (many people know Litzlbauer less as Willi than as “Poldl”) are in top form. It’s not just weather events like the downpour last year that are discussed. Some memories are better kept under wraps, but not the beginnings of the village festival.

“Georg Mairinger liked my idea of ​​organizing a festival for all Waldzell residents and those who like to party. He immediately got involved with a tourism association,” remembers Litzlbauer. “What we need is a prominent figure,” the two of them didn’t think long about who that might be.

Waldzell’s most famous son, Goldberger, didn’t need much encouragement. “Of course I went along with it. I was also indebted to some Waldzell residents who accompanied me as fans around half the world,” says Goldberger. And he not only took on the honorary patronage, he was always there – “except for one year when it wasn’t possible because of a mat jumping match.”

“One of the most important dates”

Most recently, he has also been the main attraction of the Legends Walk, which kicks off the village festival. “The Waldzell Village Festival is one of my most important events of the year.” Goldberger is regularly accompanied by other prominent “main attractions” in Waldzell. Thanks to Litzlbauer, who apparently knows everything. As proof, Goldberger grabs Goldberger’s cell phone in the middle of the press conference to find out with another ski jumping ace, Martin Koch – who will also be taking part in this year’s Legends Walk – where he would best spend the night in Waldzell. Thomas Morgenstern and Rupert Hirner are other former ski jumpers who are coming to Waldzell to pursue their new passion: Morgenstern as a helicopter pilot on helicopter sightseeing flights, Hirner as the organizer of the bungee jumping on the program this year.

Litzlbauer not only brings and has brought ski legends such as Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Reini Bachler, Heinz Kuttin and Mario Stecher to Waldzell, he also regularly uses his excellent football contacts to have football greats parade at the village festival. In this context, we can only remember the successful coach Oliver Glasner or the sadly deceased Paul Gludovatz. When it comes to football contacts, Litzlbauer is supported by his friend and football manager Stefan Reiter, who will also be taking part in the legends’ walk for the first time this year. The beneficiaries of the Waldzell village festival are not only the many visitors, who are offered total entertainment with a whole host of program items, but above all the Waldzell clubs, who look after the well-being of the many guests.

Program highlights:

Saturday, July 27: Test lighting from 4 p.m., live music from 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 28: The legends walk starts at 9 a.m. on the village square. 10.30 a.m.: beer tapping and morning pint with the Taiskirchen market band; 12.30 p.m.: vintage tractor ride; from 12 p.m.: magician and amazement artist Gerry; from 1 p.m. the stilt walkers from Teatro Banal are on the move on the village square; 2 p.m.: colorful afternoon with live music; 3 p.m.: show by the Waldzeller Schuhplattler; 4 and 6 p.m.: Samba Show Latino; at 7 p.m. the SV Waldzell raffle starts with prizes worth more than 10,000 euros; 8 p.m.: open air by the band “Moohill42”; 10 p.m.: fireworks. There is also a colorful supporting program with helicopter flights and bungee jumping.