Schützenfest Schlangen

Schlangen — Senne, Lippe, Shooting Tradition since 1825

The municipality of Schlangen is located on the western edge of the Senne region in the Lippe district (Ostwestfalen-Lippe) and, with its districts Schlangen, Kohlstädt, and Oesterholz-Haustenbeck, has around 9,300 inhabitants. Three shooting clubs shape community life: the Schützenverein Schlangen e.V. (founded 1825), the Schützenverein von 1825 Kohlstädt, and the Schützenverein Oesterholz-Haustenbeck. Schlangen and Kohlstädt host their major Schützenfest in alternating years — a pragmatic solution to allow the clubs to visit each other and keep the burden on helpers and visitors manageable. After Schlangen took its turn in 2024, Schlangen is scheduled again for September 2026.

The Schützenplatz at Mühlenstraße

For generations, the venue for the festival has been the Schützenplatz Mühlenstraße 55 on the outskirts of the town. The entire multi-day program takes place between the festival tent, the target stand (Vogelstange), and the shooting range. The grounds are accessible by car via the L 828; for guests from the Lipperland region, there are special transport services provided by the shooting families.

The Classic Schützenfest Program

As with most Schützenfeste in the Lippe region, the proceedings follow a proven three-day structure:

• Festival Kick-off on Friday — Shooting club ball in the festival tent, live dance music by a band or DJ, welcome of the royal couples, and presentation of the reigning monarchs.
• Saturday — Muster of the companies, laying of wreaths at the memorial, target shooting (Vogelschießen) at the Vogelstange. The new shooting king is determined by the final shot. Followed by the coronation and King's Ball in the festival tent.
• Sunday — Grand parade (Festumzug) through Schlangen with musical bands, drum corps from friendly clubs, and the royal couples. Reception at the Schützenplatz, morning pint (Frühschoppen), and concluding children's and family afternoon with a carousel, ice cream stand, and a joint wind-down.

The Schützenverein Schlangen e.V.

The Schützenverein Schlangen, founded in 1825, is one of the oldest active clubs in the municipality. It not only preserves the shooting tradition but also participates in Remembrance Day (Volkstrauertag), village festivals, and provides assistance in the community. Friendly clubs from Kohlstädt, Oesterholz, Bad Lippspringe, Horn-Bad Meinberg, and other places in the Lipperland region are traditionally invited to the Schützenfest — making the parade on Sunday a veritable showcase of the Lippe shooting fraternity.

Tradition with a Future

In Schlangen, the Schützenfest is not a folklore event but a vibrant meeting place for several generations. Youth departments with modern archery and light point shooting ensure a new generation of participants, the King's Ball is also used by young couples, and in the festival tent, club members, neighbors, and guests from the entire Senne region mingle. There is hardly a better opportunity to get to know the East Westphalian-Lippian version of the shooting tradition.