A Schützenfest (German: [ˈʃʏtsn̩ˌfɛst], marksmen´s festival) is a traditional festival or fair featuring a target shooting competition in the cultures of Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
At a Schützenfest, contestants compete based on their shooting abilities, for example, by shooting at a wooden representation of an eagle. The competition´s winner becomes the Schützenkönig ("king of marksmen") until the following year´s competition.
The commercially-organized Hanover Schützenfest, Germany, is the largest marksmen´s funfair in the world with more than 7,000 marksmen, 250 rides and inns, five large beer tents, and the "Marksmen´s Parade". The parade, with more than 10,000 participants from Germany and all over the world and more than 100 bands, is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long. It is the longest parade in the world. The landmark of the funfair is one of the highest transportable big wheels (US = Ferris wheels) in the world. It is 60 metres (200 ft) high and offers seating for 420 people in 42 cabins.
en
