Schützenfest Bücken

Bücken Marksmen's Corps of 1858

The Bücken Marksmen's Corps was founded in 1858, making it one of the oldest marksmen's associations in the Nienburg/Weser district. The medieval collegiate church of Bücken — one of Lower Saxony's most important Romanesque churches — and the traditional marksmen's corps together shape the identity of the town. The town of Bücken belongs to the Grafschaft Hoya municipality and is located between Hoya and Eystrup on the western Middle Weser river.

Bücken Shooting Range

The venue is the Bücken Shooting Range at Schleifmühlenweg 5 — its own club facility with shooting ranges, clubhouse, and a spacious festival meadow that can accommodate the large festival tent.

Four Days of Full Program

Thursday, June 26: Opening with Commers at 7:30 PM — the traditional festive welcome ceremony of the marksmen — and Zapfenstreich at midnight, a solemn military choreography to open the festival. Friday, June 27: King's Shooting from 9:30 AM, proclamation of the new King around 2 PM after evaluating the shooting results, DJ party in the evening from 9 PM in the festival tent. Saturday, June 28: Children's Marksmen's Festival at 2 PM with entertainment, children's king's shooting, games; in the evening, King's Ball at 9 PM with live band or DJ. Sunday, June 29: Grand Parade at 2 PM through Bücken with friendly clubs and a marching band, closing ceremony in the evening from 5:30 PM.

Meaning of Terms

The Commers is a festive, often tradition-bound event with speeches, songs, and toasts, serving as an opening ceremony. The Zapfenstreich is a military-style solemn ceremony with a marching band and torchbearers, originating from Prussian military music and now a central part of large North German marksmen's festivals.

Marksmanship Tradition for Over 165 Years

With nearly 170 years of club history, the Bücken Marksmen's Corps is a living example of the endurance of rural club culture. The annual marksmen's festival is the highlight of the club year and a meeting point for the entire village community and friendly clubs from the Grafschaft Hoya region.