A fresh spin on the traditional Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association proceedings
Celebration in Lierenfeld marks coronation of the first regimental queen
For the past decade, women have been making their mark at the Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association, vying to become the new King or Queen. Beate Droben finally achieved her goal in 2022 and enjoyed her reign's highlight—the coronation parade—alongside her husband, King Karl-Heinz.
Historically, horses played a significant role in these parades. In the past, they were a common sight, pulling carriages for honored guests, seniors, and other association members, including the Colonel. However, it seems that times are changing, as more shooting clubs are choosing to distance themselves from these feathered friends.
Reasons behind this shift include the financial strain, increasingly stringent regulations, and the persistent protests from animal rights activists. As a result, horses were the only ones to appear during the 2022 parade. Nevertheless, musical accompaniment from the Eller Drum Corps kept the atmosphere lively and spirited.
The parade took place on Posener Street before moving to the shooting range at Wilhelm-Heinrich-Way, where the festivities had already begun. The weekend was packed with events like a serenade, church service, tattoo, and a disco evening, all culminating in the coronation of Lara Rothausen as the new Page Queen, Julia Palazzolo as Student Queen, and Marcel Novak as Regiment King.
The following Monday saw the crowning of the Junior Marksmen King, Kevin Friedrich, and his Queen Sylvia Ginzel, marking the end of the four-day shooting festival.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association has much to celebrate, as they will commemorate their 100th anniversary.
For those interested in supporting our website, we'd be happy to provide more information. For those longing for a piece of the festival action, pictures from the event can be found in the gallery.
Horse Evolution in Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association Parades (Historical Perspective)
Tracing the historical evolution of horse usage in Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association parades reveals a deep-seated connection with tradition and symbolism. In the early days of the association, horses were essential for practical reasons, serving as transportation and signifying power and defense.
Over time, as the association grew and festivities became more elaborate, horses evolved into focal points of pageantry, visually enhancing the grandeur of the parades and reinforcing ties to the community. Horses often carried prominent figures such as the shooting king or association leaders, and horse-drawn carriages became a common sight.
As urbanization and motorization took hold, the practical uses for horses decreased, but they continued to be a vital part of tradition, transporting less weight but maintaining their historical and symbolic importance. Today, horses remain key fixtures in the association's parades, continuing to embody cultural heritage and tradition.
- In the early days of the Lierenfelder Marksmen's Association, horses were not just practical as a means of transportation, but were also vital symbols of power, defense, and grandeur during their parades.
- Over the years, horses have evolved from serving practical functions to becoming central figures in the pageantry of the association's parades, symbolizing cultural heritage and tradition even as urbanization and motorization reduced their practical uses.
