Basel Fasnacht

Michelle and I went to Basel on Monday to see how the Baslers celebrate Fasnacht.  We missed the 4am Morgenstreife but arrived at 11:30 and it looked like the party was over--trash and confetti everywhere but not much happening.  So we walked around town and found this cute little house behind the Rathaus (city government building, nothing to do with rats, maybe).

We found lots of sunshine and another cute farm building, right close to city center.

We heard a stray fife band playing here or there but eventually heard large bands starting to play and march to the parade start site.  These are the terra cotta warriors led by their fearless leaders.  Basel's Fasnacht is known for their large paper mach heads and their drum and fife corps.  If one closes the eyes one can imagine being at an American Revolutionary re-enactment.  But then there were also the Hollandish clogs that many groups seemed to wear--all so interesting.

This mask is taking a break, hanging on the cart that would be pulled behind the band.

It was interesting to watch the marching groups have to maneuver around the trams and buses that ran just about up to the minute before the parade started.

Cute tuba player.

We found a place to watch the parade in the middle of the bridge.  It looked like we'd have the parade split and half go on one side and half on the other.  This picture was taken before lots of others decided the middle might be a great place to view the parade.

So this is from the middle of the bridge.  Part of the parade passed on our right and part on the left but they were both going opposite directions.  It felt like we were in the middle of a 3 ring circus, well maybe only 2 rings, but rather exciting, especially because the guys in the carts were throwing tricks or treats.

This was one of the treats.  Others included apples, bananas, flowers, drinks, candy, potatoes and carrots.  We collected 7 oranges, 1 apple, 1 banana and some candy for the kids.

The tricks included a mouthful or face-full of confetti (all with a smile on the face).

Here's a fife band.

 More trick or treat throwers.

I thought my dad might like to join with this group :)

There was a lot of political satire and political issues expressed in the various groups.  Here's the bees piping to ensure we keep them on this earth.

More confetti!

We had to get to the train station before the parade was over so we just jumped in and marched behind the group.  We waved here and there and kept smiling.

Found this group of post-use costumes and heads on our run back to the station.

I was tricked--covered in confetti, aber veil Spass!!