Waldfest St. Hubertus Sundern (Gütersloh)

Shooting Fraternity with Almost Four Centuries of History

The St. Hubertus Schützenbruderschaft 1631 e.V. from the Gütersloh district of Sundern is one of the oldest shooting fraternities in Ostwestfalen. Founded in the middle of the Thirty Years' War (1631), it is a living piece of civic association history. The annual forest festival on the Whitsun weekend is one of several club festivals — alongside the Schützenfest in July and the Patron's festival in November.

Forest Festival Under Trees — Whitsun 2026

The forest festival takes place — as the name suggests — deep in the forest area around the Sundern district. An open-air stage, festival tent, bar, food stalls, and seating between the trees create a special atmosphere that is pleasantly different from classic Schützenfest grounds. On Whitsun Saturday (May 23), the Sundern band „Jump“ will play an open-air concert — dance music and cover classics for all generations.

Company Championships on May 31

One week after the forest festival, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, the second program item follows: the company championships. The individual shooting companies of the fraternity compete against each other in contests — sporting tradition with trophy awards.

Gütersloh-Sundern — District with Long Tradition

The district of Sundern (not to be confused with the town of Sundern in the Sauerland region) is located north of the city of Gütersloh in the Gütersloh district. With its active club life and agriculturally influenced surroundings, Sundern has retained its rural character. The forest festival, the Schützenfest in July (Kaiserschießen), and the Kirchweihfest (church consecration festival) in August shape the club calendar of the St. Hubertus fraternity.