New Bell Casting Fest, 1 of 5

We were fortunate enough to be able to attend a once-in-a-lifetime experience here in our little town. 450 years ago, the Lutheran church cast new bells for their bell tower. We’ve been told that the lifespan of a church bell is typically about 400 years. So this was the year to replace them. The townsfolk made a grand celebration of it! From early in the afternoon until late that Saturday night, we were serenaded by several choirs and an accordion orchestra. All who attended treated themselves to Bratwurst and German cakes. And once it got nice and dark and the copper in the outdoor furnace was hot enough, we watched as the bell was poured into a mold in the ground right before our eyes!