Schützenfest Neudersum

Neudersum as a district of Dersum

Neudersum is a district of the municipality of Dersum in the municipality of Dörpen in the northern Emsland. Like many Emsland districts, Neudersum has retained its own village identity despite administrative incorporation into the larger municipality. The Neudersum Marksmen's Club is a central pillar of this identity and organizes the annual Schützenfest as a central event for the village community.

Two Festival Days on the First May Weekend

The 2026 festival spans two days, from Friday, May 8th to Saturday, May 9th. The early date at the beginning of May makes the Neudersum festival one of the first Schützenfeste of the season in the municipality of Dörpen. Friday brings the festive opening with the assembly of the marksmen and the first festival evening in the tent. Saturday is dedicated to the King's Shoot, the King's Proclamation, and the King's Dance with a grand Schützenball in the evening.

King's Shoot and Tradition

The King's Shoot is also the central sporting and symbolic highlight of the Schützenfest in Neudersum. During the shoot at the wooden bird, the marksmen compete for the royal title. Whoever shoots off the last splinter is proclaimed King and chooses his Queen. The new royal couple will represent the club for one year at guest festivals and events.

Embedded in the Festival Culture of the Municipality of Dörpen

The municipality of Dörpen is home to numerous active marksmen's clubs. The Neudersum festival on May 8th and 9th opens the marksmen's season in the municipality, followed by the festival in Dersum (May 14th–15th), Neurhede (July 10th), and Heede (July 17th–18th). The mutual visits and joint activities of the clubs create a dense network of relationships that significantly shapes the identity of the municipality.