A whole town in the hands of children
We’d actually planned to visit my brother-in-law and his family on the 22^nd of July. However, we’d reckoned without the children.  When I told my two offspring their parents’ plans, there were very long faces, then my son returned with the calendar and pointed to the 22^nd of July 2018, where the words “MEGA CHILDREN’S DAY IN RADSTADT“ were written bold and in red. Then I knew that my holiday plans could be shelved. Anyhow, I can understand the children’s reaction, as I too at their age wouldn’t have wanted to miss this festival. There are attractions on offer that you sometimes don’t even see in so-called “Leisure Parks”.

Radstadt becomes one big playground

What Radstadt organises every two years within the medieval town walls is amazing. For an admission fee of just 8 Euro, over 70 play stations can be used all day long. As the interests of our children, Martin (11 years) and Anna (7 years), differ according to their ages, my better half Susanne and myself decided to split up. Two minutes later Anna’s already going round and round on the carousel whilst our son is fascinated by the climbing tower. After a successful “first conquest“  we boys head on to one of the 3 giant slides, before admiring the amazing model club aircraft. Martin is keen on having a go at bull riding, and even being thrown off several times doesn’t dampen his spirits. Then it’s off to the obstacle course, the Segways and the spectacular high ropes course.

Fun as far as the eye can see

Meanwhile the girls have reached the Town Square and Anna’s welcomed by a number of fairy tale figures, before heading off to listen to the storyteller. Afterwards Anna’s decorated with warpaint during a visit to the Indian Village and looks quite the Chief’s daughter. And when she finds an animal puzzle during the treasure hunt in the haystack, she’s overjoyed. Martin and I are at this point playing  giant Ravensburger games, where I have to admit defeat twice in a row. Then we take a short break and the whole family enjoys burgers and wraps, whilst a magician shows off his tricks right nearby.

When the day flies by
The break was only short as the children wanted to get going again – there’s still lots to see and do: Fire Brigade station, children’s police, electro-quad bike course, football goal wall, Lego games, painting & crafts corner… the variety’s amazing.

Somehow during the day we lost all sense of time. Suddenly it’s almost 6 pm and the festival is slowly winding down. Martin climbs up the climbing tower once again and Anna enjoys an ice cream cone. Exhausted, yet happy we set off back home. After a quick shower the children are in bed and tonight there’s definitely no need for a bedtime story.

P.S. The next day Susanne tells me that afterwards she’d had plans for a romantic evening for two. However, she found me snoring gently on the sofa – I’d fallen asleep. This “game“ had to be postponed – shame!

Photo credits: TVB Radstadt