Volks- und Schützenfest Uelsen

Shooting Tradition in the Niedergrafschaft

The Niedergrafschaft Bentheim, including Uelsen, Wilsum, Itterbeck, and Neuenhaus, is one of the most traditional shooting regions in Northern Germany. Almost every community maintains a shooting club, many with roots reaching back to the 19th century or even earlier. The Bürgerschützenverein Uelsen was founded in 1850 and celebrates its 176th club year with the 2026 Schützenfest.

Six Days of Festivities

With six days of festivities, the Volks- und Schützenfest Uelsen is one of the longer club festivals in the region. This format allows for a stretched program structure, with each day having its own focus. The opening evening, king's dinner, parade, dance evenings, family day, and morning pint are spread across the weekend from July 9th to 14th.

A Colorful Program for the Whole Family

Unlike purely club evenings, the Uelsen Schützenfest is consciously designed to be family-friendly. The fairgrounds at Am Festplatz will be equipped with carousels, game stations, and stalls, so that younger visitors can also enjoy a long evening of festivities. Dance evenings and concerts are aimed at the club's adult regular patrons.

King Shooting and Parade

The sporting and symbolic centerpiece of the festival is the king shooting, which crowns the new shooting king. The parade on the following day leads the newly crowned king with his retinue, shooting companies, music bands, and flag bearers through the town, making the club tradition publicly visible.

Bürgerschützenverein as the Organizer

The Bürgerschützenverein Uelsen 1850 organizes the festival on a voluntary basis. Donations, contributions, and revenue from the festival operations flow back into the club's activities and support youth work, sports facilities, and club celebrations throughout the year. Thus, the Schützenfest is also an important source of funding for club life.