BSV Harsewinkel Schützenfest

Four Days of Marksmen Tradition in Harsewinkel

When the uniforms are taken out of the closets on the first weekend of July, the club flags are unfurled, and the festival tent benches are set up, it's time for the Schützenfest of the BSV-Harsewinkel from 1845. For four days — from Friday, July 3 to Monday, July 6, 2026 — the Heimathof on Alte Brockhäger Straße 36 will transform into the social center of the town. The Bürger-Schützen-Verein is divided into several companies (including IV. and V. Kompanie with their own districts), which jointly organize the festival.

Friday — Ceremony and Medal Presentation

Friday opens the Schützenfest in a festive manner:

• 6:00 PM — Ecumenical Church Service with pastor and minister
• 7:00 PM — Ceremony with Medal Presentation — honoring long-standing members, presentation of the King and Queen, welcome of distinguished guests by the club president
• 9:30 PM — Themed Evening in the festival tent — social opening party with DJ or dance band, beer, and mingling of the companies

Saturday — Commemoration and Ball

Saturday combines tradition with conviviality:

• 1:30 PM — Assembly at the Heimathof followed by a commemoration ceremony at the memorial for fallen club members
• 3:30 PM — Junior Marksmen's Competition — the next generation competes for honorary prizes
• 8:00 PM — Public Ball with a dance orchestra in the festival tent — the social highlight for marksmen and guests

Sunday — Parade and Family Day

Sunday brings the festival into the cityscape:

• 6:00 AM — Wake-up call by the brass band through the streets of Harsewinkel
• 1:30 PM — Grand Parade of the companies with brass bands, drum corps, and friendly associations through "Um die Linde" and the main streets of the city center
• 3:00 PM — Family Day at the Heimathof: children's games, competitions, play activities
• 7:30 PM — Homeland Evening with local music, tombola, and Low German contributions

Monday — Father's Day and King's Shoot

Monday — the "Schützen's Father's Day" — is the decisive day:

• 8:00 AM — Assembly at Gasthof Wilhalm
• 10:00 AM — King's Shoot at the wooden bird — the most exciting competition of the festival. Whoever knocks off the last splinter becomes Schützenkönig (King) 2026/2027
• Afternoon — Proclamation of the new King and Queen, coronation ceremony, King's procession
• 8:00 PM — Closing Ball in the festival tent

Since 1845 — One of Westphalia's Oldest Marksmen's Associations

The BSV-Harsewinkel from 1845 is one of the most traditional marksmen's associations in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Founded during the Restoration period, the association has shaped the social life of Harsewinkel for over 180 years. The members are divided into several companies (including IV. Kompanie and V. Kompanie), each with its own district, board, and events — but united in the grand Schützenfest.

Heimathof and Heimathaus

The festival takes place at the Heimathof (Alte Brockhäger Straße 36) — a historic festival grounds with a club area and festival tent. The club's headquarters and postal address is the Heimathaus Harsewinkel at Prozessionsweg 4. Both locations are within walking distance in the town of Harsewinkel.

Harsewinkel in the Gütersloh District

Harsewinkel is located in the Gütersloh district, at the transition from the Münsterland to the Tecklenburger Land. Primarily known as the seat of the agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS, the town cultivates a vibrant marksmen's and local culture — in addition to the BSV, other marksmen's associations exist in the districts.