Largest Fair on the Rhine Largest Fair on the Rhine The Largest Fair on the Rhine () is a fair in Düsseldorf, drawing more than 4 million visitors annually, is one of Germany’s biggest fairs. It takes place the third week in July (2015 dates: July 17-26) on the left bank of the Rhine River, in the district Düsseldorf-Oberkassel, and features beer and food tents, amusement park rides, vendors, etc. as well as 10 days of various associated events and activities. Only three other German fairs get more visitors than Düsseldorf: Oktoberfest in Munich (6.7 million attendees in 2007), the Cranger Kirmes in Herne (4.5
Largest Fair on the Rhine million), and the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart (4.2 million). The Largest Fair on the Rhine has its roots in an annual celebration in honor of: The celebration of both events took place first in 1435. At the time it was organized by the local St. Sebastianus shooting club around a traditional shooting competition (called Schützenfest – marksmen festival), a local annual tradition involving a wooden target on a pole, usually a representation of an eagle. In the 16th century, the fair was said to be an occasion for King Henry VIII” to introduce his future wife Anna van Kleve to