Schützenfest Wickede (Ruhr) — St. Johannes Marksmen's Brotherhood

The Folk Festival of the Ruhr Municipality

When Wickede celebrates in July, the whole village has a holiday mood: The Schützenfest of the St. Johannes Brotherhood has been the unifying folk festival of the Ruhr municipality for generations – three days on which the marksmen, their families, and indeed the entire community come together, parade, and celebrate together under the festival tent roof.

Bird Shooting in Erbkewald

Traditionally, the Saturday kicks off with the bird shooting in Wickede's Erbkewald, a forest area east of the town center. Here, the new marksmen's king is chosen – a central ceremony of the brotherhood, where candidates shoot for the wooden bird. Whoever hits the last splinter becomes king and, with his queen, forms the representative couple for the following year.

Parade and Festival Tent in the Center

From Sunday onwards, the focus shifts to the town center: a grand parade through the main streets, followed by the proclamation of the king and multi-day festival operations in the festival tent. Live bands provide the atmosphere, festival caterers provide refreshments, and on Monday, the festival concludes with the traditional king's breakfast and the festival evening party. Robin Kemper is responsible for stage and sound, among others, guaranteeing professional technical implementation for a festival that is otherwise run by volunteers.

Marksmen's Brotherhood as a Pillar of the Village

The St. Johannes Marksmen's Brotherhood is more than just a festival club: it is a historically grown institution that serves as an anchor of identity, a bearer of tradition, and a social meeting point in Wickede (Ruhr). Wickede is located in the southwestern Soest district in North Rhine-Westphalia, right on the border with the Sauerland region – an area where Schützenfeste are as much a part of the annual rhythm as the weather. The St. Johannes Schützenfest is considered the largest and most visible example in the municipality.