The common in Bad Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, hosts the second-biggest beer festival in the world. Founded in 1818 by King Wilhelm of Wurttemberg as a harvest festival, the Cannstatt Fair resembles the larger Oktoberfest in Munich.The fair, also known as the Stuttgart Beer Festival, retains traces of its past - look out for a 24-metre-high column of fruit. A big parade and a fireworks extravaganza add to the festive atmosphere. Beer Festival Parade
A procession of brightly decorated brewery floats and groups in traditional dress from all over Baden-Württemberg, accompanied by music and cheerful crowds of people at the roadside, will proceed from Bad Cannstatt Kursaal to the Wasen on Sunday September 26th 2004 from 11.00 a.m. onwards.