The Largest Folk Festival In The Southern Hemisphere

With history dating back to medieval times, the Schützenfest, or 'shooting festival', has long been celebrated in German towns.

In Adelaide the SA German Association has hosted the Schützenfest, the largest folk festival in the Southern Hemisphere, on an annual basis since 1964. The first Schützenfest was celebrated in Adelaide in 1865. Competitive shooting is one of the main features of the Schützenfest because good marksmanship was essential in the defence of medieval towns.

Adelaide's Bonython Park comes alive with the sounds of Oompah music, dancing from the Bavarian and Black Forrest regions of Germany, and also from neighbouring Austria.

Over 40 stalls serving traditional German food and beverage, cultural heritage displays, children's entertainment, Strong Arm Beer Stein Lifting Competitions, and more, Schützenfest is a festival for the whole family.

For more details about the Modern Schützenfest please see on this website the press coverage 2005/2006/2007, the Gallery, and visit the official Schützenfest website.

The first Schützenfest held by the South Australian German Association was in 1889. The following account of the activities appeared in the "AZ", the Australian News­paper. Although the first South Australian Shooting Association had been founded on the 7 January 1861 this was the first Schützenfest held by the Association.

Australische Zeitung, No. 2, 8th January 1890

From a correspondent [Translation: Dr Ian Harmstorf OAM]

On the 30th December the Shooting Society that consisted of members from the Association [The South Australian German Association] held their first King's Shoot. The venue was in the vicinity of Walkerville and nothing about the place or the facilities offered left anything to be desired. For the necessary lubrication there were enough places near by, offering sufficient space for members and their brothers in arms to sink a cool wet one or two. And the sun shone benignly on those present. The participation by members of the Association was enthusiastic.

The competition was even begun before midday. It is true that the results of the shooting were not particularly brilliant in comparison with other South Australian shooting societies, nevertheless it was hoped things would get better with the passing of time. Some sceptics were heard to raise their voices, however one cannot always trust such people: some were heard to blame the heat for the lack of ability to hit the target, others blamed the wind while yet again others blamed the thirst. More than likely both heat and thirst must carry the blame. The following gentlemen participated in the Kings Shoot with the accompanying results.

1 prize. Bütefisch 110 rings, Noatzky 2:109, Müller jun 3:107, Koops 4:101, Popp 5:98, Gleiber 6:97, Herrmann 7:94, Memmler 8:93, Müller sen 9:91, von Eitzen 10:91, Martin 11:90, Manfeld 12:77.

The Kings Prize therefore was won by Mr Bütefisch. The president of the Shooting Society presented the prizes. A lively and happy party was held in the tent which was illuminated by lanterns and candles. This happy group were most content with the amber fluid that Mr Schickel with an experienced hand had brewed himself. Songs and speeches flowed easily and there was a heady atmosphere in the tent so much so that it was very late when the evening finally ended.

Am 30. Dezember hielt die aus Mit­glie­dern des Vereins gebildete Schüt­zen­gesell­schaft ihr erstes Königsschieβen ab. Der in der Nähe von Walkerville gelegene Schieβplatz lässt, was Lage und Einrichtung betrifft, nichts zu wün­schen übrig. Für den nötigen "Stoff" boten die dort befindlichen Gebäu­lich­keiten genügenden Raum und lieβen Festteilnehmer sowie Schützenbrüder auf ein "kühles" Naß schlieβen. Und die Sonne meinte es wirklich gut. Die Be­tei­ligung seitens des Vereins war trotzdem eine rege.

Schon im Laufe des Vormittags begann der Wettkampf. Zwar sind die Schieβ­resul­tate nicht besonders glänzende zu nennen, im Verhältnis zu anderen süd-australischen Schützengesellschaften, doch hofft man es mit der Zeit besser zu machen. Verschiedene Spottvögel lassen ihre Stimme hören, doch ist solchen nicht immer zu trauen: Einer schiebt die Nicht­treffsicherheit der Hitze, der andere dem Winde, der dritte dem Durst zu, erstere, sowie der letztere mögen vereint die Schuld tragen. Folgende Herren betei­lig­ten sich mit nachstehenden Resultaten am Königsschieβen:

Bütefisch 1. Preis 110 Ringe, Noatzky 2. P. 109 R., Müller jun. 3. P. 107 R., Koops 4. P. 101 R., Popp 5. P. 98 R., Gleiber 6. P. 97 R., Herrmann 7. P. 94 R., Memmler 8. P. 93 R., Müller sen. 9. P. 91 R., v. Eitzen 10. P. 91 Ringe, Martin 11. P. 90 R., Manfeld 12. P. 77 R.

Die Königswürde erwarb sich somit Herr Bütefisch, und der Präsident der Schützengesellschaft nahm die Preis­ver­teilung vor. Das mit Lampions und Lich­tern illuminierte Zelt faßte eine heitere Gesellschaft, die sich's beim Gerstensaft, welchen Herr Schickel mit kundiger Hand zu brauen versteht, wohl sein lieβen Ge­sang und Deklamation wechselten und hoben die Feststimmung, so daß der Aufbruch erst spät erfolgte.