Schützenfest Höhr-Grenzhausen

Höhr-Grenzhausen – the city of ceramics

Höhr-Grenzhausen is located in the Westerwald and is world-renowned for its ceramic tradition as the "Kannenbäckerland". It is home to the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences with its renowned Institute for Artistic Ceramics and Glass, and numerous manufactories and studios still operate here today. The city, with around 9,500 inhabitants, cultivates a strong club culture alongside its craft, in which the Schützengesellschaft plays a prominent role.

The St. Sebastianus Schützengesellschaft Höhr 1859

Founded in 1859, the St. Sebastianus Schützengesellschaft is one of the oldest civic associations in the city. It follows the tradition of the Rhenish shooting associations, whose roots reach back to the Middle Ages. The patron saint is Saint Sebastian, a Roman martyr and patron of marksmen for centuries. The association has a modern, proprietary shooting range "Im Flürchen", where training takes place all year round and which forms the festival grounds for the annual Schützenfest.

The King's Shooting

The highlight of every shooting year is the King's shooting. Whoever knocks the last piece of the wooden king eagle off the pole becomes the new shooting king and represents the association for one year. The royal family, court of honor, and junior shooting queen are part of the festive retinue, accompanied by music bands and flag delegations during the festival parade.

Festival Weekend with Parade and Festival Tent

Saturday begins with the assembly at the club house, the march to the shooting range, and the ceremonial King's shooting. In the evening, the festival tent invites you to a big shooting party with live music. Sunday is dedicated to the festival church service, the solemn festival parade through the city with a review of the parade at the town hall, and the subsequent "Frühschoppen" (morning pint) with the King's proclamation. The festival concludes in the festival tent with dancing and music.

Significance for the City Community

The Schützenfest is more than just a celebration for the association – it is an event for the entire citizenry. Friendly clubs, local politics, the parish community, and the citizens participate in the parade and the festival activities. In this way, the Schützenfest preserves living Rhenish customs.