Schützenfest Schweicheln-Bermbeck

Two Days of Schützenfest in Hiddenhausen

The Schützenverein Schweicheln-Bermbeck e.V. is hosting its annual Schützenfest 2026 on the weekend of July 18 and 19 at the festival grounds on Schützenstraße. The festival is the central event of the club's year and is part of the Westphalian tradition calendar of the municipality of Hiddenhausen in the Herford district.

Royal Couple 2025/26: Oliver II and Colette I

Currently reigning in Schweicheln-Bermbeck are King Oliver II. Schröder and Queen Colette I. Pöppel-Stadelmann. They were determined at the last edition through the traditional bird shooting and represent the club in parades, honors, and at friendly Schützenfeste in the region. The 2026 Schützenfest marks the transition to the next royal couple.

Westphalian Marksmanship Tradition

In the Herford district and surrounding areas, the marksmen's tradition is particularly dense. Every municipality, often even every district, has its own marksmen's association – with bird shooting, proclamation of the king, parade, and dance evening. The Schützenfest is not just a club affair but the most important summer village festival, which the entire community attends. Schweicheln is one of Hiddenhausen's districts, Bermbeck is the adjacent area – the club calls itself Schweicheln-Bermbeck and unites both quarters.

Program Outline

The program follows the classic Westphalian Schützenfest format: Saturday festival opening, mustering of the marksmen, possibly a parade to the festival grounds, dance evening with a live band in the festival tent. Sunday high mass or memorial service, morning pint, parade through the village, king's shooting or proclamation, coronation ball with the new royal couple.

Hiddenhausen in the Herford District

Hiddenhausen, with around 19,000 inhabitants, is a municipality in the western Herford district, southwest of the district town of Herford. The municipality is characterized by its agricultural and industrial history (furniture industry); club life is traditionally strong. The region also benefits from tourism from neighboring Bad Salzuflen and the Werretal valley.

Schützenhaus and Festival Grounds

The festival grounds with the Schützenhaus (marksmen's hall) are located on Schützenweg in Schweicheln – club life has been concentrated at this location for decades. For special occasions, a festival tent is erected that can accommodate the entire club family as well as friends from the region.