Schützenfest Beckum (Schützenverein Norden & Schützengilde Sandkuhle)

Premiere: Two Beckum Schützenvereine Celebrate Together

Schützenwesen (marksmen's traditions) in the Münsterland region is changing. In 2026, Beckum in the Warendorf district will show how two Schützenvereine are joining forces to continue an old tradition under new circumstances. For the first time, Schützenverein Norden and Schützengilde Sandkuhle will celebrate a joint Schützenfest – a historic step for Beckum's marksmen's tradition.

Why the Clubs Are Coming Together

The economic and demographic situation has prompted both clubs to join forces. By merging the festival weekends, fixed costs (marquee, logistics, security) are significantly reduced without having to merge the club identities. Both clubs will muster separately, presenting their battalions independently – only the bird shooting will be held jointly.

Aktivpark Phoenix Beckum as the Festival Grounds

The venue is the Aktivpark Phoenix Beckum, a sports and leisure area in Beckum normally used for football, tennis, and other sports. For the 2026 Schützenfest, the area will be transformed into a full-fledged festival ground – complete with a marquee, bird pole, and stalls for showmen and vendors.

Program 2026

Three festival days, Friday to Sunday:

• Friday, June 19, 2026: Opening, assembly of the battalions of both clubs, festival evening
• Saturday, June 20, 2026: Church service, Vogelschießen (bird shooting, jointly for both clubs), Schützenball (marksmen's ball) in the evening with live band and DJ
• Sunday, June 21, 2026: Festival parade through the city center, Zapfenstreich (traditional closing ceremony) to conclude

Premiere of the "Phoenix-Cup"

A special innovation for 2026: the Phoenix-Cup – a competition for junior marksmen in the form of a bull riding contest. Young marksmen will compete not only at the shooting range but also on the mechanical bull – a creative idea to combine tradition and fun.

Vogelschießen – The Crowning of the Festival Week

The highlight of the weekend is the joint Vogelschießen on Saturday. Members of both clubs will compete to shoot down the wooden bird from the pole – whoever succeeds will be crowned Schützenkönig (marksmen's king) for the coming years. This joint election of the king is part of the symbolism of cooperation: a shared crown, two clubs.

Beckum in the Münsterland

Beckum belongs to the Kreis Warendorf and is located in the southern Münsterland, between Hamm and Rheda-Wiedenbrück. The town is manageable (just under 35,000 inhabitants) and characterized by an active club scene and industrial economy (cement, mechanical engineering). Schützenfeste, like everywhere in the Münsterland, hold a special significance here.

Parade Through the City Center

Sunday culminates in the festival parade: the battalions of both clubs will march with brass bands through Beckum's city center. Afterwards, the marksmen will gather for the great Zapfenstreich, the traditional conclusion of a Schützenfest.