Oeventrop's 2025 Shooting Spectacle: Initial Account
Mark Your Calendars, Oeventropians! The long-awaited Oeventrop Shooting Festival, like a cherished annual tradition, is upon us once again. Kicking off on July 5, 2025, this event - affectionately known as "The Village's High Holiday" - promises an unforgettable three-day extravaganza.
Anticipation builds as the brotherhood painstakingly prepares the "3 holidays in the United States of Oeventrop," eager to see another fantastic shooting festival unfold. Notably, hundreds of festive flags will adorn the village skyline, while the melodies of renowned bands such as the "Hagen Music Association," the "Warstein Spielleute Association," the "Oeventrop Volunteer Tambour Corps," and the "Oeventrop Music Association" entertain the crowds.
The grand procession on Sunday will showcase several distinguished figures, including our current king and queen, Marc Vollmer and Elena Krestnikova, our jubilee king and queen (25 years) Olaf Hachmann and Jutta Heiers (née Klasmeier), as well as the jester couple, Dominik Zepin and Marielle Ludewig. Unfortunately, our esteemed jubilee queens (40 years) Margret Becker and (75 years) Helga Beutlich (née Bunte) will be unable to partake due to health concerns.
The competition to crown the new king and jester is sure to stir excitement, and, as always, promises a thrilling climax "under the bar." The king and queen, the jubilee king and queen, the jubilee queens, the jester couple, and the board of the brotherhood extend warm wishes to all Oeventropians and their guests for a beautiful and harmonious festival in 2025.
Festival Schedule
The celebration begins on Saturday amidst the resounding tolling of bells by the "United Oeventrop Bell Shooters." The assembly of Dinschede, Glösingen, and Oeventrop companies follows, with the bell group tolling the bells near Olaf Hachmann's residence, honoring our jubilee king who is also an active member of the VOB.
Sunday commences with a solemnRemembrance of the Dead at the cemetery and the honoring of meritorious shooters in the shooting hall. Following this, a cozy brunch ensues, and at 4 p.m., the monarchs and queens are escorted to the shooting hall. Subsequent events include the honoring of the jubilee king and queen, a children's dance, and later an evening filled with music and dance.
The main event, the Bird Shooting, commences on Monday, July 7th at 9 a.m. The march to crown the new Shooting King and Fool in the hall is scheduled for around 11 a.m., followed by the proclamation. The evening concludes with awards, the King and Fool's dance, and more music and dancing until late.
Regional shooting festivals often involve parades, competitions, and grand celebrations, with locals dressed in traditional uniforms. If Oeventrop's event follows the same pattern, more information can be found on the municipality’s website or local sources. Happy celebrating, Oeventropians!
Festival Schedule
The festival schedule remains as follows:
- Saturday, July 5:
- 3:00 PM: United Oeventrop Bell Shooters toll the bells
- 5:00 PM: Shooting mass begins
- 6:00 PM: Celebration of the best shooters
- 9:00 PM: Grand tattoo followed by music and dance "on the hall"
- Sunday, July 6:
- 9:00 AM: Remembrance of the dead on the cemetery
- 10:00 AM: Honoring of meritorious shooters
- 12:30 PM: Cozy brunch
- 4:00 PM: Procession to bring in the king and queen to the shooting hall
- 6:15 PM: Children's dance
- Evening: Music, dance, and merrymaking
- Monday, July 7:
- 9:00 AM: Bird Shooting
- Around 11:00 AM: March to install the new Shooting King and Fool in the hall and the proclamation
- 5:00 PM: March to install the new Shooting King in the Shooting Hall
- Evening: Awards, King and Fool's dance, music, and dancing until late
- Home-and-garden decorations will undoubtedly adorn the village during the Oeventrop Shooting Festival, as festive flags and banners fill the skyline and colorful flower arrangements embellish the shooting hall and other event venues.
- The lifestyle of Oeventropians will be a lively blend of tradition, camaraderie, and entertainment throughout the three-day festival, as they partake in parades, competitions, music, dance, and grand celebrations, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
