This is why we won't be raising a glass at Kirkcaldy's German Beer Festival this year

Kirkcaldy’s annual Bavarian Beer and Music Festival has been cancelled - the latest event to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular biennial celebration in the Town Square was scheduled to run from September 3-6.

Organisers were continuing to work on their plans, but the ongoing uncertainty around restrictions on mass gatherings has prompted them to call time for 2020.

The beer festival was held in a giant marquee in the heart of the town which featured imported Hermbrau beer, bratwurst, and the famous Hampara Band which provided a Bavarian oompah musical soundtrack.

The event was the pinnacle of this year’s twin town celebrations, all of which have had to be postponed.

Robert Main, chairman of Kirkcaldy Ingolstadt Association, said the focus was now on 2021 and then the 60th anniversary of Kirkcaldy’s Ingoldstadt’s links in 2022.

He said: “We had been looking forward to welcoming once again the vast numbers from the local community to the now legendary Festival Marquee and celebrating in style.

“It is a major feature in the social calendar of events in Kirkcaldy in each alternate year, and we are clearly disappointed in its cancellation as it is so well enjoyed.”

The impact of the global pandemic has wiped out a whole year of programming.

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Everything from student placements in Fife and Germany to participation in both towns’ half marathons cannot now go ahead.

Also off is a visit by Ingolstadt golfers, participation in the Bavarian State Horticultural Show by presenting the Kirkcaldy Garden, Ingolstadt artists in residence programme, and a range of exchange visits involving schools, Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy and the association's fellowship visit to our sister organisation FINKY - Friendship Ingolstadt Kirkcaldy.

The association’s participation at the renowned Ingolstadt Christmas Market is also at risk.

There is uncertainty over whether Christmas Markets will go ahead as planned - until the end of October, all major events, including the famous Oktoberfest in Munich, are cancelled.

However to reduce the impact of no face to face contact , many group and individual friendships between the two towns have continued throughout the lockdown by use of social media platforms to keep in touch.

Those links with the Ingolstadt community included contributions from Mr Main and Councillor Neil Crooks, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, to the Donau Kurier, the local daily Ingolstadt newspaper about the impact of Covid 19 and lockdown life in Kirkcaldy.

Mr Main added: “The coronavirus pandemic has touched all our lives and is an agonising reminder to us all in the importance of continuing the special bonds that exist between the two towns that will undoubtedly continue as the long lasting twinning friendships between the citizens of Ingolstadt and Kirkcaldy continue to be extended."

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