Schützenfest Drolshagen

50 Years of St. Clemens Schützenverein Drolshagen

In 2026, the St. Clemens Schützenverein Drolshagen 1976 e.V. celebrates its 50th anniversary with a correspondingly extensive Schützenfest. The club was founded in 1976 and is named after the patron saint of the Drolshagen parish. In the Olpe Sauerland region, Schützenvereine (marksmen's clubs) are the backbone of social and religious life – the Schützenfest is the highlight of the club's year and involves the entire village community.

Four Days of Program in the Classic Sauerland Format

The Sauerland Schützenfest is a four-day event with its own rhythm – each day has its specific function and atmosphere:

Friday, June 19, 2026 — King's Bird Shooting

Starting at 4:30 PM, the traditional Königsvogelschießen (king's bird shooting) begins. Aspirants from the club take turns shooting at the wooden bird attached to the shooting stand – whoever brings the bird down with the last shot becomes the new Schützenkönig (king). Afterwards, the proclamation of the new royal couple takes place in the Vier-Jahreszeiten-Halle.

Saturday, June 20, 2026 — Festive Parade

Grand festive parade starting from the Drolshagen market square. Marksmen, the royal couple, friendly clubs, music bands, and dance groups march through the village. In the evening, a festival ball will be held in the hall.

Sunday, June 21, 2026 — High Mass and Morning Concert

Solemn Hochamt (high mass) service starting at 10:15 AM in the Catholic parish church of St. Clemens, with the marksmen in uniform and the reigning royal couple. Afterwards, a morning concert on the festival grounds and a Frühschoppen (morning pint).

Monday, June 22, 2026 — Sackfest in Sendschotten

The highlight on Monday is the Sackfest in the Drolshagen district of Sendschotten. A Sauerland specialty – a communal feast involving the club and the village community, often combined with traditional games and competitions.

Vier-Jahreszeiten-Halle

The Vier-Jahreszeiten-Halle is Drolshagen's central event hall and the club's home. Proclamations, festival balls, and other events take place here. The hall offers ample space for the several hundred participants and guests.

Drolshagen — Gateway to the Biggesee

Drolshagen, with around 12,000 inhabitants, is a town in the Olpe district, located in the southern Sauerland, on the southwestern shore of the Biggesee. The region, known as "Sauerland", is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most important recreational and hiking areas. Those who wish to combine the Schützenfest with a weekend getaway will find the Biggesee, the Listertal valley, and the Atta Cave nearby.

Sauerland Marksmen's Tradition

In the Olpe district and the Catholic Sauerland, the marksmen's tradition is particularly dense. Schützenfeste here are not primarily sports or club festivals, but religiously founded traditional events – with high mass, flag consecration, and a church component. This constitutes the Catholic character and the solemn seriousness of the event.