Seeking reader input to a list of the best festivals in Germany.

The season of the fest is well upon us. If you’ve lived in Germany for a while, you already have your favorites. If you’re new in town, be sure to get out and experience one if not several over the next few months. Because not all fests are created equal.

A little bit like a county fair stateside, what German fests have in common includes snack foods and bratwurst and a sea of wine or beer. A Volksfest will likely have rides, games of luck and skill, live music and booths set up by local organizations. Each fest, however great or small, has its own special character. Some distinguish themselves by the sale of a specific food or craft -- pottery, cheese or fried fish spring to mind.

You’ll see plenty of things that make you think, “Geez, I’m not in the states anymore.” For example, when’s the last time you’ve seen fried cauliflower offered up as a special treat, or a snack stand shaped like a corn-on-the cob? Or for that matter, been served a beer in a one-liter mug?

The list below is just the tip of the iceberg, and I’ve lumped them all together, from the biggest to the tiniest, local events. Readers based in Germany who’ve been around awhile, help the list to grow by adding your particular favorites.

July 13-17, Brezelfest, Speyer.

June 28-July 2, Darmstädter Heinerfest, downtown Darmstadt.

June 28-July 3, Talmarkt, Bad Wimpfen.

June 29-July 1, Rheinland-Pfalz Tag, Baumholder.

June 29-July 3, Tübinger Sommerfest, Tübingen.

July 6-8, Altstadtfest, Kaiserslautern.

July 6-22, Kiliani Volksfest, Würzburg.

July 14-22, Kirmes, Düsseldorf.

July 27-Aug. 5, Kestcher Backfischfest, Ketsch.

July 27-Aug. 19, Deutsch-Amerikanisches Volksfest, Berlin. This year’s featured city is Los Angeles.

Aug. 2-6, Rheinisches Fischerfest, Gernsheim.

Aug. 3-6, Mainfest, Frankfurt.

Aug. 10-19, Rheingauer Weinwoche, Wiesbaden. (Winefest, no rides or games.)

Aug. 23-26 and Aug. 30-Sept. 2, Mainzer Weinmarkt, Mainz.

Aug. 29-Sept. 9, Stuttgarter Weindorf, Marktplatz and Schillerplatz, Stuttgart.

Sept. 7-11 and 14-17, Durkheimer Wurstmarkt, Bad Dürkheim. Billed as “World’s biggest Wine Fest.”

Sept. 29-Oct. 14, Cannstatt Beer Festival, Stuttgart.

Sept. 22-Oct. 7- Oktoberfest, Munich.

Sept. 7-17, Dippemess, Ratsweg, Frankfurt.