“By the time the Ferris wheel is standing for the winter opening we’ve mastered an enormous logistic task”, said Stephan Hercher, who coordinated the setting up of several Ferris wheels in Europa-Park. “We are just starting to produce the snow that will soon envelop the park in a wintery landscape”. Tonnes of snow have already been manufactured in October for the winter opening and stored in a large tent. Stephan Hercher, head of the decorations department in Europa-Park procures huts for the Christmas market, Father Christmases and angels for the festive winter landscape in Europa-Park, organises the set-up of the ice sculptures hall and the Otto Exhibition in the Mercedes-Benz Hall. He takes care of all the props required in the park and hotels. When one of the 1600 figures on the rides gets damaged on the head or hands, he organises the technical and artistic repair. A team of 35 permanent employees supports this trained draughtsman from Freiburg – also in the planning for Halloween when thousands of pumpkins and gruesomely beautiful decorations adorn the park. “As well as the rides, the decor is an important element in the park because it creates the special emotional atmosphere that visitors perceive”, according to Hercher who has worked at Europa-Park for 30 years. But he is also involved in planning the decorations that survive for more than one season. Such as the facades and wall paintings in the park and hotels, for example, and the many other artworks scattered around the entire complex.