The Hessian Police made arrangements for a whole week of highlights in the Main-Taunus-Zentrum. With its motto “All of us in Hessen - working with the police“, the visitors were provided with a range of programs. This included exhibitions of weapons and counterfeit money, consultations on crime prevention and training demonstrations that were provided by a seizure unit. Other highlights were various emergency vehicles for up-close viewing, flight demonstrations by police helicopters, an appearance by the cavalry division and autograph sessions with police officials who had recently returned from the Olympics in Beijing. There was also a stand providing information to the curious young visitors on training opportunities with the police.
At the Königsplatz in Kassel, residents enjoyed an exciting mix of sports, beach atmosphere and a vacation feeling during the summer. A large sand arena was constructed in front of the City-Point for the beach Volleyball Cup from 7-10 August 2008. Close matches between amateur teams and the high-calibre duels among elite beach volleyball players from across Hessen drew crowds. Along with athletic entertainment, there were music, competitions and fashion shows to bring good cheer to the visitors.
In October the City-Galerie of Wolfsburg played host to an extraordinary exhibition. The Minimundus leisure park from Austria displayed some of its models of famous structures at the middle of the mall in the center. The Statue of Liberty, the Parisian Eiffel Tower and Vienna‘s Ferris Wheel were on display. The shopping stroll then quickly turned to foray in time travel through the various epochs of human culture and architectural styles. Anecdotes and stories on the 13 exhibitions abounded among the Minimundus employers on hand whose organised tours were well-received by the visitors.
Everyone was thrilled, and not just the children: in September the Roncalli circus built its ring amidst the Rhein-Neckar-Zentrum. Though it was naturally a smaller version, it included the original artist entryway of 1976. There were multiple shows each day in the program during which there were plates, pins and rings airborne in the Center and comical skits by a clown were all well-received. A separate participatory circus was organised for children. An exhibition simultaneously displayed vitrines and showcases containing treasures from the rich and colourful Roncalli history.
