Vellmar celebrates: cultural festival exceeds all visitor records!

Vellmar celebrates: cultural festival exceeds all visitor records!

There was a real celebration in Vellmar over the last weekend. The cultural festival “Summer in the Park” had a record number of visitors this year with over 12,000 guests. Organized by the creative mind Pia Bluhm, the 29th edition of the festival was a complete success. The festival site was transformed into a pulsating center of culture and joie de vivre, and the first balance sheet shows an impressive 12,073 tickets sold, which is more in 1919 than in the previous year. Before the pandemic, in 2019, the number of visitors was 11,800, and compared to previous years, Vellmar has now broken its own records again.

What makes “Summer in the Park” so irresistible? A varied program that offers music, comedy, cabaret and more. Festival guests were treated to performances from crowd-pleasers such as Bodo Wartke and Olaf Schubert, both of whom sold out 960-seat shows. Frieda Braun also enchanted 800 visitors. The artistic director was all the more pleased about the new actors such as the drum mafia and the variety show, which should enrich the existing offering. Many of the many event visitors were amazed by the incredible atmosphere.

A place for encounters and inspiration

The festival not only attracts visitors because of its artists, but also because of the high quality of the events. With an average occupancy rate of around 80 percent and around 600 guests per event, “Summer in the Park” remains a popular destination. The beer garden on the festival grounds offered an opportunity for socializing and relaxation, while the theater tent, which can accommodate 1,000 guests, served as a place for meeting and inspiration. What was particularly pleasing was the predominantly good weather, which contributed significantly to the success as no heavy rainfall dampened the mood.

But it wasn't just the packed program that contributed to the high number of visitors. The city of Vellmar also invested heavily in the cultural program and provided 630,000 euros for cultural events, including 180,000 euros specifically for the festival. This shows the great commitment and importance of culture in the region, especially in the year of the double anniversary: ​​1250 years of first mention, 50 years of city rights. Blaum particularly emphasized that the three free events at the beginning of the festival attracted additional visitors and laid the foundation for its success.

Outlook for the coming year

If the festival wants to build on its success next year, a few highlights have already been determined: “Summer in the Park” 2026 will take place from August 12th to 30th. Bluhm announced the cabaret artist Florian Schroeder as the opener on August 12th. Changes in the auditorium, such as the expansion of the grandstand to better accommodate wheelchair users, also demonstrate the desire to offer all visitors an unforgettable experience. The technical equipment is also positioned in the lower area to optimize sight lines. Ticket sales in April 2025 are already showing strong interest, with 7,400 advance tickets at this point.

The positive feedback from the audience confirms that “Summer in the Park” is firmly anchored in the hearts of the people of Vellmar. And even though the actual income is still pending, everyone involved is happy about this fantastic conclusion to the festival.

For a detailed look at the festival history and the planned events for the coming year, we recommend visiting the website HNA and Cultural topography of Kassel, as well as an analysis of the current trends in festival attendance Statista.