Pressecker Schützen- und Bürgerfest

Whitsun Festival with Almost 200 Years of History

Presseck in the Frankenwald, a market town with just under 2,000 inhabitants in the Kulmbach district, cherishes one of Upper Franconia's oldest marksmen's festival traditions. The Privileged Marksmen's Society 1834 Presseck was founded – as the name suggests – back in 1834 and celebrates its grand marksmen's and citizens' festival every year at Whitsun. The designation "Privileged" refers to old royal Bavarian privileges that regulated, for example, the procurement of gunpowder for marksmen.

Marksmen's Festival and Citizens' Festival in One

Presseck's special feature: The festival combines two concepts. On the one hand, it is a classic marksmen's festival with a king's shot, king's reception, king's proclamation – on the other hand, a citizens' festival that involves the entire village community, including all clubs. This becomes clear over the three days: The marksmen are the focus on Saturday and Sunday, while on Whit Monday, the citizens' parade takes place, in which all Presseck clubs march together with the marksmen's society.

Three-Day Ritual

Classically, the festival spans three days:

• Saturday — 2 PM: Reception of the reigning kings (Marksmen's King, Youth King, Market Queen) by the marksmen, opening church service, festival tent opening with tapping of the first keg
• Whitsunday — 1:30 PM: Grand Marksmen's Procession through Presseck, shooting competitions at the marksmen's club house, from 8 PM live band in the festival tent
• Whit Monday — 1:30 PM: Grand Citizens' Parade with all clubs, from 6 PM: ceremonial Proclamation of the King of the new marksmen's, youth, and market queens/kings

Royal Titles

The king's shot is the central event. Three titles are awarded: Marksmen's King (main title, best shots), Youth King (youth competition), Market Queen (women's competition). The most recent titleholders were: Head Queen Birgit Schröder, Youth King Max Pajonk, Market Queen Lisa Goth – their reign ends one year later at the next proclamation. The Memorial Trophy competition (a special award introduced in 2024) was won by Niko Hodert.

Music and Atmosphere

Regular musical guests are the Original Franconian Traditional Costume Band from Stadtsteinach – brass music in traditional costume that accompanies every procession. On Sunday evening, cover bands or party bands provide the atmosphere in the festival tent. Franconian specialties – bratwurst, Schäufele (pork shoulder), Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), draft beer from Upper Franconian breweries – complete the gastronomic offerings.

Frankenwald and Whitsun

Presseck is located in the Frankenwald, a low mountain range between the Fichtelgebirge and the Thuringian Forest. Whitsun marks the classic season opening here – the first warm days of the year, blooming meadows, the forests in their most beautiful May green. Those who stay longer can combine the festival with hiking on the Frankenwaldsteig trail or excursions to Kronach (15 km), Kulmbach (25 km), or neighboring Thuringia.