The Legend of Schutzenfest

As the legend goes, it all started in the fifteenth century in Europe when a marksman (Schütze) shot down an eagle that had attacked a small child. The people in the village were so joyous about this newly-found "hero" that they made him an honorary king of the village for a year. In subsequent years, the villagers would hold a festival to commemorate this occasion, having a sharpshooting competition, with the winner becoming honorary king for a year. Thus began the tradition of the Schützenfest in many parts of Germany and Switzerland.

This legend was based on some truth, as in these earlier times, when most men were farmers, they were all trained in using arms, and became a paramilitary of sorts, known as the Wehrbauren, or farmer soldiers. They would fight for their leaders when called upon to do so in the many wars and incursions that took place in those days, and then would go back to their farms when the fighting was over. They would celebrate by holding sharpshooting contests, with the winner being honored for his shooting skills. This was a more logical beginning for the Schützenfest, but not nearly as romantic as the marksman downing an eagle to save a young child's life.