Schützenfest St. Antonius Messingen

St. Antonius Schützenverein since 1631

The St. Antonius Schützenverein Messingen of 1631 e.V. looks back on over 390 years of club history, making it one of the oldest riflemen's associations in southern Emsland. Its founding in the midst of the Thirty Years' War underscores the historical depth of the association's tradition.

St. Antonius — the Patron Saint of Farmers and Lost Items

The association bears the name of Saint Antonius — depending on tradition, Antonius the Great (Hermit) or Antonius of Padua. Both are widely revered patron saints in Catholic folk piety — with particular significance for farmers and animals, or for finding lost items, respectively.

Program 2026 — Two Packed Festival Days

Friday, May 22, 2026

• 3:00 PM: Parade through Messingen with marching band and club flags
• Concert: Concert evening on the festival grounds
• Lucky Tree Shooting: Traditional shooting for prizes at the lucky tree

Saturday, May 23, 2026

• Church Service: Festive church service in honor of St. Antonius
• Eagle Shooting: Traditional bird shooting to determine the King
• Approx. 12:00 PM: King's Proclamation
• 5:30 PM: Grand Parade through Messingen
• King's Ball with Band Black Horses: Dancing with a live band until late into the night

Band Black Horses — Live Music at the King's Ball

The Black Horses are a well-known regional dance and show band that regularly performs at many Schützenfeste in Northern Germany and the Emsland region. With a mix of pop, rock, Schlager, and dance classics, they ensure a festive King's Ball evening.

Festival Grounds Raiffeisen-Warengenossenschaft

The venue is the festival grounds at the Raiffeisen-Warengenossenschaft Messingen. This connection between the Schützenfest and the rural cooperative is typical for many Emsland villages — the Raiffeisen cooperative is not just an economic enterprise but also part of village life.

Community Spirit

As with all Schützenfeste, the Messingen festival thrives on the commitment of its members and the participation of the village community. The current King and Queen lead the association throughout the year and pass on their title to the new King and Queen at the eagle shooting on Saturday.