The 2014 State Garden Show kicks off in around four weeks' time, with hundreds of small and large events attracting visitors from the region and the whole of Hesse to Giessen. The programme includes events and concerts organised by Giessen's municipal utilities.
"Off to new shores" is the motto of the fifth Hessian State Garden Show (LGS). The organisers could hardly have found a better one. After all, Lahnaue, Wieseckaue and Schwanenteich are among the attractions of this year's LGS in Giessen. "At all three locations, from 26 April to 5 October, visitors can marvel at how natural oases of tranquillity with all their charm can be sustainably integrated into a city," says Mayor Gerda Weigel-Greilich, highlighting the benefits of the State Garden Show for Giessen.
Before the LGS kicks off in around four weeks' time, hard-working helpers are still working on the final preparations. The entire city is already fully in tune with the 2014 highlight of the event, with Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), for example, having given one of its articulated buses a facelift and applying new stickers. Wrapped in a green livery, it will be travelling on all SWG routes from Friday. The bus was presented to the public on Friday in the presence of Gerda Weigel-Greilich, Mayor of Giessen, and the two SWG board members, Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul.
"Giessen and the whole of Central Hesse have been eagerly awaiting the State Garden Show for a long time - and as a regionally rooted municipal company and premium partner of the LGS, naturally we are too. The newly designed bus will serve as an advertising medium in the coming weeks and months - a form of commitment on the part of Stadtwerke Gießen," explain the two SWG board members Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul.
Favourite book and water fun
Nature will play the main role during the State Garden Show. In addition, hundreds of lectures, concerts, small and large events will attract guests to Giessen - including some highlights that SWG will contribute to the programme.
Together with the association MENTOR ¬¬- Die Leselernhelfer Gießen, the company is calling on schoolchildren in years one to six to present their favourite book. A jury will select the best entries. All winners can then present their work on Sunday 25 May together with the well-known television presenter Willi Weitzel on the SWG stage at the Schwanenteich. Clown Ichmael, a book flea market and performances by several school choirs will also provide fun and entertainment on this day.
On 7 June, Stadtwerke Gießen then invites you to a water adventure day at the Ringallee outdoor pool. The highlights: a water Olympics on the water playground and the dragon boat competition in the large pool. Visitors with a valid ticket for the LGS receive free admission.
Support for a good cause
Music lovers will experience unique sounds on 10 July on the SWG stage at the Schwanenteich. The "Big Band der Bundeswehr" will be playing in aid of the Tour of Hope. "As a long-standing partner, we are helping the organisers of the charity tour to finance the concert," explains Reinhard Paul. SWG will also be selling the coveted raffle tickets again this year in aid of the charitable two-wheeler tour.
On 16 August, everything will revolve around four wheels - or more precisely, rollers - and a board in the new skate park on the grounds of the State Garden Show. Together with the Giessen Skateboard Club, SWG is inviting children and young people between the ages of five and twelve to a taster day. The boys and girls can test their skills on the course and work on tricks together with experienced boarders from the club. A demonstration by the experts is also on the programme. Newcomers have the opportunity to hire sports equipment and the necessary protective gear on site.
Fireworks at the end
The grand finale of the SWG events will take place on Friday, 26 September - a concert with the three well-known artists Heinz-Jörg Ebert, Ingi Fett and Tom Pfeiffer, the "Three Voices". Visitors can look forward to an emotional show in which they can relive great hits from the past decades. The crowning glory: a firework display with musical accompaniment that bathes the sky above the LGS grounds at the Schwanenteich in bright colours.
Ina Weller, company spokesperson for SWG, is certain: "There is something for young and old and every taste. As a partner of the LGS, we look forward to welcoming guests to Giessen. And of course we hope for a summer that lives up to its name in terms of weather."