04/09/2026
Kirmes / Schützenfest
You may have noticed one or the other sign in the German towns of the area advertising “Kirmes or Schützenfest” lately.
Here is what it’s all about:
Since the 15th century rifle associations have represented an important part of a community in many Germany areas. Originally, they were designed to protect their towns and inhabitants. As times became safer the marksmen lost part of their meaning, but still gathered for training and shooting competitions. One of it is called Vogelschuss (bird shooting). It is a traditional shooting competition in which it’s the goal to shoot down a wooden bird from a high pole, the bird pole, with a small caliber shotgun or air rifle, but also with a crossbow firearm or crossbow. The bird partly consists of artistically turned or sawn and painted wooden parts.
Depending on the region and custom, whoever either splits the bird's rump or shoots down the last part of the bird becomes the king/queen of marksmen of his/her village for that year.
The bird shooting usually takes place in June and is often accompanied by a village festival.
Mostly in September of the same year a Schützenfest/Kirmes (festival of marksmen) takes place. It is a folk festival that derives from the regular meeting of rifle fraternities or rifle clubs as a local tradition. It’s meant to celebrate the king or queen but also to keep up the tradition of “Glaube, Sitte und Heimat” (believe, custom and hometown) in the community.
The customs surrounding the Schützenfest/Kirmes are mainly maintained in Bavaria and Lower Saxony, but also on the Lower Rhine, Middle Rhine and in Westphalia.
Part of these regional traditions is the "Fahnenschlag" (a special kind of flag waving). It symbolizes the binding of St. Sebastianus , the patron saint of young shooters. The flag-waving is carried out according to fixed rules, which are laid down in the federal flag-waving regulations, so that referees can also evaluate the performances at competitions.
Marksmen festivals can last from one to several days and be accompanied by different supporting programs. They begin with a festive parade, in which the reigning marksmen' king or queen and their court are picked up by his club members at home, marched through the town to the Schützenplatz or marquee accompanied by the town’s brass band. These festivals often go along with a fair.
One has to remark that it is an outstanding honor to reign as king/queen for one year – but that it’s also very expensive and intense, since the majesty has to purchase a fancy uniform (for men) or gowns (for ladies) as costume to wear at various parades and neighboring festivals. Additionally, he or she has to pay for a lot of drinks while his or her regency. So… better think first once you participate at the Vogelschuss 😉
