Schützenfest Rinkscheid

Marksmanship Tradition in the Southern Sauerland

Meinerzhagen, a town of around 21,000 inhabitants in the Märkischer Kreis (Arnsberg administrative district, Sauerland), is located in the southern part of the Bergisch-Märkischer Kreis. Rinkscheid is a district of Meinerzhagen, home to the Schieß- und Schützenverein Rinkscheid 1897 e.V., one of the region's most traditional clubs. Founded in 1897, the club looks back on almost 130 years of tradition. In 2026, the Schützenfest will take place on the weekend of June 13th-14th.

Two Days of Festivities: Saturday and Sunday

The Schützenfest follows the typical two-day format for smaller marksmen's clubs — Saturday and Sunday. The club is well-organized and has meticulously planned the program (times and highlights published on the club's website).

Saturday, June 13th, 2026 — King's Shot and King's Ball

Saturday features the central sporting and ceremonial events:

• 12:30 PM: Muster (Antreten) of the marksmen in front of the multipurpose hall
• 3:30 PM: King's Shot (Vogelschuss) — determination of the 2026/2027 marksmen's king according to traditional form (shooting at the wooden eagle/bird on the shooting post; the last splinter determines the king)
• 7:30 PM: King's Ball (Königsball) in the festival tent of the multipurpose hall with live music, dancing, and the crowning of the new marksmen's king

Sunday, June 14th, 2026 — Parade, Prince's Shot, Ballet

Sunday offers a festive continuation with the traditional parade:

• Morning/Afternoon: Parade with the new King and Queen through Rinkscheid and the surrounding districts
• Afternoon: Prince's Shot (Prinzenschießen) — shooting competition for the next generation of marksmen
• 6:00 PM: Ballet — a special tradition of the Rinkscheid marksmen's club, where selected marksmen present a classical or modern ballet piece (intended humorously and seriously)

Ballet as a Signature Feature

The ballet performance on Sunday evening is a unique feature of the Rinkscheid marksmen's club — a tradition designed to distinguish the club's festival from the many similar Schützenfeste in the Sauerland. With the ballet, the club combines tradition and cultural initiative — a confident expansion of the classic Schützenfest program.

Mehrzweckhalle Rinkscheid

The Mehrzweckhalle Rinkscheid is the club's house and festival hall. Located in the Rinkscheid district, it offers a festival hall atmosphere for around 250-400 people. The shooting also takes place at the shooting post near the hall — the shooting range and festival tent are spatially connected, facilitating the event's flow.

Getting There

Meinerzhagen-Rinkscheid is accessible by car via the A 45 (Meinerzhagen exit) and the L 561. Approximately 1 hour from Cologne, 1 hour from Dortmund. Public transport: from Meinerzhagen train station via Märkische Verkehrsgesellschaft bus (line 506). Parking available around the multipurpose hall.