Hessentag festival in Fulda deemed 'completely positive' with 1.1 million visitors

Fulda has concluded the Hessentag state festival with a "completely positive assessment," drawing an estimated 1.1 million visitors, significantly exceeding initial expectations. The ten-day event, which ended Sunday, was managed by over 3,500 police officers, who reported a "largely peaceful" operation. The city highlighted the extensive organizational effort behind the large-scale gathering.

Medical services from the German Red Cross and Malteser Hilfsdienst worked a total of 9,774 hours. Christian Erwin, a DRK Fulda representative, noted that "for the size of the event, it proceeded calmly from a medical perspective. Everything was also safe and peaceful." Approximately 400 lost items were registered, with many returned to their owners during the festival.

While the event was largely peaceful, isolated incidents did occur. The Interior Ministry recorded four instances of resistance and physical assaults on police officers, resulting in minor injuries. Two cases of assault were reported: one against a Bundeswehr officer and another against a DRK volunteer assisting an intoxicated individual; both sustained only minor injuries.

Two men repeatedly attempted to enter the secured area near the VIP tribune during the parade, leading to a verbal altercation and a scuffle with police officers, who were lightly injured. The Federal Police reported 116,000 visitors arrived by train, leading to crowded platforms and trains, with two platforms temporarily closed due to overcrowding. They conducted 229 identity checks, made two arrests, and issued 48 move-on orders, registering seven offenses related to the Hessentag. One federal police officer sustained minor injuries.

Additionally, the city's Hessentag hotline received over 2,500 calls. The Domplatz concerts attracted about 110,000 attendees. A special transport service for individuals with mobility issues recorded approximately 4,300 trips. An "Awareness Team," deployed for the first time, provided daily assistance and counseling, helping reunite four adults and eight missing children with their families. Around 20,000 armbands for children were distributed.