Achtung Schützenfest!

Schützenfest was a part of last weekend's activities and will likely persist into the coming weekend as Six Deuce and Sid return to complete repairs of a remaining deer stand, zero their rifles and perhaps indulge in some adult beverages and deer camp-style cooking. 

You may care to know how Schützenfest found its way to the Door peninsula.

As the legend goes a German sharpshooter (schütze) shot an eagle from the sky that had attacked him as a small child.  In the states this act would land you in jail; nevertheless, the people of his village were so impressed by this feat that they crowned him 'king' for the year and a celebration followed.

A more realistic explanation is that 15th century soldiers were returning from war to reoccupy their farms and shops and their return was celebrated with a shooting festival. 

In any event Schützenfest has likely been around longer than Oktoberfest and the German tradition celebrating marksmen and marksmanship occurs from summer to autumn and persists almost 500 years to modern times. 


It's a rather big deal and as evidence of this fact the Schützenfest held in Hannover Germany is such a really huge deal that it has become the largest of marksman festivals.  A parade of 10,000 participants from Germany and other parts of the world stretches about 7.5 miles making it the longest parade in Europe and probably the world.  Of course there are carnival rides, a humongous Ferris Wheel, five massive beer tents along with music, dancing and other entertainment to accompany the feats of marksmanship.

click on my 100 yard 3/4 inch group for a closer look

Around here the event is quite subdued although there is the shooting tradition followed afterwards by adult beverages and some really good food.  The company of friends is particularly enjoyable.

Prosit!