Revenue needed

The party continued the day after the deluge

(Bild: HBI Obritzhauser)

It was just before the opening of the main tent of the big "Augustwiesn" on Friday evening when the deluge hit Hollabrunn. After the nightly shock, clean-up work followed on Saturday - with the focus on the festival grounds. Volunteers restored the site to such an extent that the party could continue on Saturday evening.

It was an inferno the likes of which had never been seen before in the Weinviertel: The exact event is still being reported. But what makes people want to get this particular project up and running again?

Although there is a rollercoaster of emotions so soon after the event, event manager Alexander Rausch is convinced: "Right now! Because so many volunteers have been involved in "their" number one event of the year that it should not go down the drain now, all eight members of the organizing team of the "Hollabrunner Volksfestverein" are convinced. 

The opening of the 70th edition of the traditional festival alone (with breaks in between) was a ceremonial act with Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP). "We have our most traditional event back," said many delightedly. 

Stop button would be the wrong reaction
"There were no injuries and a lot of luck in the game," is the most important reason for the club boss to have even considered continuing. On the other hand, although affected by the damage themselves, many people thought it was a good idea not to press the stop button right now.

There were no injuries and a lot of luck in the game.

Vereinschef aus Hollabrunn

"The commitment of the volunteers was incredible - from repairing damage to private homes or public facilities. By Saturday afternoon, the large tennis hall had already been cleaned up spick and span, as the "Krone" respectfully noted during a local inspection. Why should anyone go home sad now?

The grounds have been set up, also for charity
Other (background) reasons: Hollabrunn continues to assert itself as an eventful town. In addition, the charity aspect was also decisive: "Lions and Rotarians moved back into their stands, the supplier companies did not receive any cancellations, the hotel rooms are still occupied - and much more, argues Wurm. 
"Despite all the shocking moments and efforts: The people of Hollabrunn showed that you can achieve a lot together, even under the most difficult conditions!" 

Details about the storm itself, why many things just went well and why the head of the province Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) declared a disaster area can be found in another online report.