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Cattle driving ceremony in Bad Kleinkirchheim – a regular celebration in mid-September for guests and locals alike!

Autumn – a time for enjoyment! Late Summer is the ideal time to explore Bad Kleinkirchheim at its best – with pleasant warm walks in the Nockberge mountains of Carinthia, relaxation in the thermal Roman baths with their numerous soothing treatments, savouring the wide range of tasty regional treats and experiencing the local customs and culture.

In addition to the more peaceful programme fixtures such as the International Austrian Alpine Rally and the 38^th Golden Autumn Cup, the 14^th cattle driving ceremony will attract plenty of visitors and traditionally takes place on the 2^nd Saturday in September, 8^th September 2012. The animals from the surrounding meadows are gathered at the Gasthof Hinteregger in St. Oswald on this morning and decorated. The colourful procession down to Bad Kleinkirchheim starts at 11.00. Visitors can enjoy a busy farmer’s market, tombola and kids’ programme at the festival site. Traditional folk dancing group Göriach and an Alpine horn group from the Katschtal valley will be on hand to provide musical entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere.

Programme for the cattle driving ceremony

From 10.30 Early morning beer with the ‘Oberkrainer aus Begunje’ group at the Unterwirthof in Bad Kleinkirchheim

Approx. 10.30 - Arrival of the cattle at the Hinteregger in St. Oswald / Bad Kleinkirchheim where the animals are decorated with flowers (shuttle bus departs from 10.00 from Bad Kleinkirchheim – St. Oswald and back)

Approx. 12.00 - Departure for Bad Kleinkirchheim

Approx. 13.15 - Gathering of cattle in Bad Kleinkirchheim

14.00 - Blessing of the animals with musical accompaniment

15.00 - American auctioning of an Alpine calf for charity

From 16.00 – Conclusion of the event

You can also observe the local traditions during the Harvest Festival in St. Oswald on the 16^th of September 2012 – highly recommended!

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