"Behold, I'm here, present and accounted for"
The Plön Shooting Guild, a centuries-old marksmen’s association in the German town of Plön, is set to host its annual festival on Friday, July 11th. The event, filled with competitions, parades, music, and social events, will commence with the presentation of the "Papagoy" at 4:30 PM on Wentorfer Platz.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, July 10th, with the traditional shooting of the "Papagoy" beginning around 1:00 PM. This ancient tradition involves the use of single-shot shotguns and is a highlight of the festival.
On Friday morning, guild members will gather at the museum square from 8:30 AM, followed by a march with a brass band to the festival grounds at 9:00 AM. The guild brothers will also assemble in front of the town hall on Schlossberg at 8:30 AM for a traditional gathering.
At 9:00 AM, the guild's march with the brass band will proceed from the town hall to the festival grounds, where a greeting ceremony will take place. Later, at 10:30 AM, the festival banquet will commence in the festival hall, marking the official opening of the shooting competitions.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including a public program at 3:00 PM that caters to both young and old. This program includes children's games, air rifle shooting for those aged 14 and over, and laser shooting for all.
At 7:30 PM, everyone will gather in the festival hall to honour the best shooters and the King of Shooting, an honorary title awarded to the best marksman of the festival. The winners of the air rifle and laser shooting prizes will be announced at 6:00 PM.
It is important to note that the Plön Shooting Guild of 1621, one of the guild's historical branches, remains an all-male club and does not plan to admit women. For precise and detailed information on the Plön Shooting Guild’s admission of women, its current festival schedule, and specific traditions regarding the King of Shooting, consulting the guild’s official website or local historical sources in Plön would be recommended.
Historically, shooting guilds in Germany were male-dominated, but many have since begun admitting women as societal norms have shifted. The role of the King of Shooting is to serve as a ceremonial leader during the guild festivities for the following year.
The historical flags, silver treasures, and prizes for this year's competitions of the Plön Shooting Guild can be viewed at Förde Sparkasse. The festival will conclude with the proclamation of the new King of Shooting at 9:00 PM.
In addition to the main events, there will be a break for coffee and cake at 3:30 PM, offering festival-goers a chance to relax and enjoy refreshments before the evening's festivities. The Plön Shooting Guild festival promises to be a memorable event filled with tradition, camaraderie, and friendly competition.
Sports betting enthusiasts might find an interesting angle during the Plön Shooting Guild's festival, as the event will culminate with the crowning of the new King of Shooting at 9:00 PM. The winners of the air rifle and laser shooting prizes will be announced earlier, at 6:00 PM.
