Pumpkin & Scary Time at Karls Erlebnis-Dörfer in Germany

(eap) With the meteorological autumn having begun on 1 September, the autumn season has also started at the various Karls Erlebnis-Dorf locations across Germany. Numerous pumpkins now shape the seasonal decorations and can also be found throughout the parks’ F&B offerings. As usual, the centrepiece of each Erlebnis-Dorf is the large pumpkin pyramid, which catches the attention from afar. At the Rövershagen (near Rostock), Elstal (near Berlin), Oberhausen (Ruhr region) and Döbeln (Saxony) locations, visitors can also admire giant figures of the park mascots “Karlchen” and “Karla”, built entirely from pumpkins. Around 15 different pumpkin varieties for cooking, carving and decorating are available at the pumpkin market.

Karls‘ culinary offerings also fully embrace this popular fall fruit. © Karls Erlebnis-Dorf Pumpkins also take centre stage on the seasonal menu of the parks. Dishes include pumpkin soup with sour cream, pumpkin and coconut vegetables, pumpkin ragout and deep-fried pumpkin wedges. This year, Karls is promoting the “Kürbis Feldmeister Burger” as a special feature on the menu. Visitors will also find a range of seasonal products in the Manufakturen-Markt, including the “Kürbistraum” fruit spread as well as stylish decorations for the home.

During the Spooky Evenings, family-friendly spooky experiences await the children and their adult companions. © Karls Erlebnisdorf From 1 October, the focus will shift to spooky family fun. At the locations in Warnsdorf near Lübeck, Zirkow on Rügen, Koserow on Usedom and Loxstedt near Bremerhaven, the so-called “Grusel-Abende” (“Spooky Evenings”) will once again take place on 31 October from 4 to 9 pm. New additions to the programme include the “Grusel-Eisbahnen” (“Spooky Ice Rinks”) with a live DJ and atmospheric lighting as well as neon face painting for children.

In Rövershagen, Elstal, Oberhausen and Döbeln, visitors can look forward to the large-scale “Karls-Nächte” (“Karls Scare Nights”), which are set to reach the next level this year. The programme will feature a spectacular drone show with more than 500 choreographed drones, four different scare zones with live scare actors for the first time, a “Globe of Speed” motocross action and fire show, an LED trampoline show, walking acts, a silent disco and further surprises. Also new, the “Angsthasen-Dachboden” (roughly: “Scaredy-Cat Attic”) will open in Oberhausen on 1 October.

Reflecting Karls’ general focus on families, the autumn and scare experiences are also designed to be suitable for families with children. One example is the “Grusel-Guide” (“Scare Guide”), which rates the various scare zones and scare mazes on a scale of one to five “Angsthasen” (“scaredy cats”), helping guests better assess the intensity of each experience. In addition, visitors can carry an “Anti-Grusel-Glitzerstab” (“Anti-Scare Glitter Wand”) to signal that they do not wish to be approached by the live scare actors. ■