Schützenfest St. Hubertus Schützengilde Verl

Schützenfest Verl — Tradition since 1833

From July 5th to 7th, 2026, the St. Hubertus Schützengilde Verl celebrates its Schützenfest on the first weekend of July. The guild, founded in 1833, keeps the East Westphalian shooting tradition alive and is one of the defining associations in the town of Verl in the Gütersloh district.

Saint Hubertus — Patron Saint of Hunters and Shooters

The guild's name refers to Saint Hubertus of Liège (c. 655–727), the patron saint of hunters and shooters. His feast day on November 3rd is the occasion for Hubertus masses and guild celebrations in many Rhenish and Westphalian shooting clubs. In Verl, this connection shapes the guild's self-understanding.

Program — Three Days of Celebration

The Schützenfest follows a classic schedule:

Friday, July 5th, 2026

• Opening of the festival
• Club evening and welcome of guest clubs

Saturday, July 6th, 2026

• Festive parade through Verl
• King's shooting
• Gala evening in the festival tent

Sunday, July 7th, 2026

• Festival service
• Coronation of the new king and queen
• King's ball to conclude the festival

Active Club Structure

The St. Hubertus Schützengilde Verl is described as “committed, lively, and simply good-humored.” It comprises:

• Schützen — the traditional shooting section with dignitaries
• Sports Shooters — competition-oriented shooting sports disciplines
• Young Shooters — junior members and youth work

In addition to the main festival, the guild organizes other events throughout the year, such as the St. Georg Shooting (June 20–21, 2026) and the Scharmede Festival.

Verl — Town in the Gütersloh District

The town of Verl (around 27,000 inhabitants) is located in the Gütersloh district in East Westphalia-Lippe (North Rhine-Westphalia). It is home to several medium-sized companies and is an economically dynamic municipality in the East Westphalia region. The Schützenfeste in Verl — including those of the Bürgerschützenverein (BSV) and other guilds — are a firm fixture in the town's calendar.