Europa-Park in Rust marks its 50th anniversary in 2025 with a unique highlight: a magnificent Zirkus-Prunkwagen from the 1920s, crafted by Heinrich Mack III. in Waldkirch, graces the “Feiern unter Sternen” parade. This rolling masterpiece, reflecting the family legacy of park owners Roland and Jürgen Mack, captivates visitors with its artisanal splendor.
A Rolling Masterpiece Takes Center Stage
The Zirkus-Prunkwagen, leading the jubilee parade, embodies the showman’s tradition. Golden carvings and lacquered wooden reliefs adorn its exterior, while wrought-iron lamps and intricate ornaments embellish the interior. Heinrich Mack III., grandfather of the current park owners, created with his craftsmen a vehicle that stands as a mobile work of art. Having led processions, carried distinguished guests, and delighted generations, the wagon’s presence in the “Feiern unter Sternen” parade, which runs throughout the season, bridges the Mack family’s history with Europa-Park’s legacy.
Tradition Meets Jubilee Celebration
The wagon’s return holds deep significance for Roland and Jürgen Mack, whose family has upheld showman and artisanal craftsmanship for nearly 250 years. Long before building Europe’s largest theme park, the Macks crafted carousels and circus wagons. The generous loan from the Krone family, providing the wagon for several months, unites two dynasties bound by craftsmanship, artistry, and grand spectacles. Visitors experience a slice of European circus history, typically exclusive to Munich’s Oktoberfest.
A Star at Oktoberfest
Far from a museum piece, the Zirkus-Prunkwagen remains in active use. Each year, it opens Munich’s Trachten- und Schützenzug, the ceremonial procession launching the world-famous Oktoberfest. The Sembach-Krone family from Circus Krone, joined by Munich’s mayor, rides its open deck—a globally recognized image. After its time at Europa-Park, the wagon will lead the Oktoberfest parade again on September 20, 2025, continuing a decades-long tradition.
The Mack Family Legacy
The wagon narrates a family’s imprint on European cultural history. Its journey through Europa-Park illustrates how the Macks evolved from circus wagon builders to operators of a premier theme park. This legacy, rooted over a century ago in Heinrich Mack III.’s Waldkirch workshops, lives on in the wagon’s craftsmanship. Its return is more than nostalgia—it symbolizes the family’s origins, which have shaped Europa-Park into a cornerstone of entertainment history.
