The production of hand cheese has a long tradition in Lustadt  in the Palatinate. In almost every household, sour milk cheese was pressed into its round shape by hand in the spring in the old fashioned way; the different recipes for this were well-kept family secrets.
To preserve this tradition, the inhabitants called the Loschter Handkeesfescht in 1925 - a family folk festival in the Mayflower Forest on the outskirts of town.

The event, originally scheduled for one day, became a great success and since 1951 the people of Luststadt and their guests have celebrated on three days around 1 May.
On the Handkeesplatz in the Mayflower Forest, visitors have around 5,000 seats at their disposal, 1,500 of which are under a roof, surrounded by snack and drink stands in a horseshoe shape. Not only hand cheese of various kinds is offered, but also Palatinate sausage specialities - and of course Palatinate wine.

On Saturday evening there will be live music - rock, pop or oldies. Sunday at noon, hearty brass bands perform.
The main focus of the festival, which is now attended by around
40,000 guests - is being together and celebrating in the open air. With the exception of a small carousel and a bumper car, you won't find any noisy fairground stalls.