Venezianische Messe (Ludwigsburg, Germany)

   The Venezianische Messe (Venetian Market) in Ludwigsburg, Germany is the second largest masquerade ball in the world. Every two years, this event is held, in honor of the original market in Venice, Italy. A former Baron of Ludwigsburg traveled to Venice long time ago to see the masquerade ball and fell in love with it so much he decided to hold a festival of his own, closer to home. From Friday Sep. 10 through Sunday the 12, the town square boasts dancers, magicians, singers and other performers. Most of the costumes seen are crafted by the very people wearing them. It has become a tradition for these performers to create their own costumes for the event. The workmanship in these costumes is amazing, from the materials used to the stitching and selected colors, they prove that every detail counts. As the day progresses into night, light and fire performers begin to show their skill. On the final evening the festival is ended with a spectacle of fire-works centered around a metal sculpture thirty feet high.