Schützenfest Reinstedt

1702 — As the Region's Oldest Marksmen's Association

When a marksmen's association was founded in 1702 — over 320 years ago — its annual Schützenfest is more than just a summer weekend. It's a piece of living local history. The Schützenverein Reinstedt 1702 e.V. is one of the oldest marksmen's associations in all of Saxony-Anhalt. Despite temporary interruptions — with its re-establishment in the early 1990s — the association continues to uphold a unique tradition to this day.

Reinstedt in the Selke Valley

Reinstedt is a district of the town Falkenstein/Harz in the Harz district, picturesquely situated in the Selke Valley on the northeastern edge of the Harz Mountains. With just under 700 inhabitants, the village is small — and that's precisely why the Schützenfest here functions as a unifying highlight of the year. On the festival grounds at the edge of the village, the association, together with the volunteer fire department and other local associations, sets up the festival tent.

King's Shoot, Parade, and Dance

The program follows the classic Schützenfest dramaturgy: The first day of the festival focuses on the king's shoot — the annual determination of the new marksmen's king (and queen) by precisely shooting at the club's eagle. This is followed by a parade through the town with a marching band, traditional costumes, and association banners, plus a long dance evening in the festival tent with a live band or DJ. The second day includes a family program, morning pint, and winding down the festivities.

Nestled in the Summer Festival Season in the Harz

Falkenstein/Harz in the Harz district is a typically rugged cluster of several villages and small towns surrounding Falkenstein Castle. The summer in the Selke Valley is rich in festivals — from the Hexenkessel club in Meisdorf to the Falkenstein Castle Festival. The Reinstedt Schützenfest is one of the smaller, but most traditional events.

Atmosphere

Rural, traditional, communal. Anyone wanting to experience an authentic Saxony-Anhalt Schützenfest in a 700-inhabitant village in the Harz — with a king's shoot on Saturday, a parade on Sunday morning, and a lively dance evening — is in the right place. Touristically unassuming, but for the people of Reinstedt, it's the festival weekend of the year.