Schützenfest

Over the weekend I attended my 2nd Schützenfest (loosely translated to "shooting club"). I have since been trying to comprehend how I would begin to describe this festival. I still am a bit worried that I will not do it justice, but here goes.

I first should note that this did not take place in Stuttgart, but in Tobi's hometown of Dülmen. This is in Northern Germany, where the Schützenfest tradition is quite common.

Every year each town holds their own Schützenfest. This is a week long celebration for it's serious members, while for the rest of the town there are 3 main days. Saturday is the first evening of celebration and by far the biggest. Everyone from the town will meet in a huge tent in the woods where the festival is mainly held. Beers are sold 10 at a time and there is always a live band playing German drinking songs. This evening is so important it felt like if you live in Dülmen and miss this party people will talk about you for weeks. You drink and dance until you can do neither anymore, then everyone stumbles home in the wee hours of the morning.

The following morning everyone rises and meets in the town square for a parade (sleeping is a word that everyone must forget to survive Schützenfet). This part, I know will sound a bit odd, but I have come to realize it is just part of the experience. All of the active members of the Schützenfest are dressed in uniform and lined up by company. The Colonel (which happens to be Tobi's father) shouts out commands and addresses each company. They then march around the town square and to the war memorial where there is a dedication. From there they march on through the town and back to the tent, where more festivities begin. Directly after the parade, the men of the club are invited to shoot at a wooden bird. This bird is sacred to the people of Schützenfest and is handcrafted especially for this occasion. This is by far the biggest attraction of the afternoon. You see, whoever is accurate enough (or just buys 20 shots in a row) to bring the last piece of the wooden bird to the ground is crowned King of Schützenfest. This is considered a huge honor and is treated as such. The King is hoisted into the air and paraded around the party for all to see. After picking his Queen they are both officially announced and crowned. However, I still have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to do this. Other then the reputation of being King, there really are no benefits. In fact, as King you are expected to pay the bill for the beers! But, I supposed if clout is what you are after in Dülmen, becoming King is an immediate way to get it.

After the new King is crowned, everyone goes home for a little break. Within a couple of hours people start heading back to the tent for night #2. This is much like the first night, except this evening almost everyone who attends is a member (just for the record- I am officially a member!). The band plays until 2 or 3 and the beer is constantly flowing until the King decides to leave, thus officially ending the evening.

Just when you think you can handle no more, there is day 3. Thank God for me, in the morning there is a "Men Only" meeting in the tent, where prizes are given out and there is mass consumption of pig, cheese, and yes, beer. At quarter to 1 the women begin to gather at the gate of the forest, waiting for the men to officially open the gate and let them in. The women bring the Queen in, circle around the King and Queen and sign funny German songs to them. After that, you guessed it, more drinking. Although by then I felt like my entire body was going to shut down, so I opted to steer clear of alcohol on the final afternoon.

The Germans find it a bit odd that I like this festival so much, but it is the most authentic and fun thing I have yet to experience in Germany. I have yet to understand the true meaning of this, nor do I think I ever will. But, I do know that it is something I look forward to more and more with every year I attend!