Dusseldorf ceremony: Honoring the regimental queen with a procession and investiture carried out by Sebastian in 1316.
The St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Düsseldorf 1316, a traditional organization based in Düsseldorf, recently held their annual Rheinkirmes festival, also known as the "Größte Kirmes am Rhein" (Greatest Fair on the Rhine). This major Volksfest is renowned for its Schützenzug (marksmen procession) and various festivities.
On Saturday, the procession started at the Reiterallee in the Hofgarten and made its way through the city center via the Königsallee to the town hall. The Sappeurs led the procession on the market square, while the three heralds on horseback had already stopped at the Burgplatz. The musical accompaniment for the induction was provided by several bands, including Stadt-Tambourcorps St. Maximilian, Kapelle Stadtwerke Krefeld, Tambourcorps Heerdt and Derendorf, and Kapelle Garath.
At 5 pm, everyone had arrived at the town hall, including Oberbürgermeister Stephan Keller, Schützenmeister Andreas Paul Stieber, 2. Chef Wolfgang Gehlfuß, Queen Michèle Locker, and Oberst Torsten Peters. Oberbürgermeister Keller praised the Schützen for their voluntary organization of the Rheinkirmes since 1901 and their great civic engagement. Schützenmeister Stieber emphasized the clear commitment of the Schützen to the shooting sport and the city of Düsseldorf, their unity, and the great effectiveness of their voluntary work.
Michèle Locker, a four-time mother and a police officer, was the Regimentskönig in 2022, making her the first woman to represent the Sebastianer von 1316 in many years. The official handover takes place at the parade on Sunday, and a new king (or queen) is elected on Tuesday evening. However, specific details about the 2025 Rheinkirmes activities, including the coronation or role of a new queen named Michelle Locker, are not yet available.
After the Höhner concert on the festival grounds, Schützenmeister Stieber and his comrades attended the drone show premiere. Timing was crucial for the police, as a pro-Palestine demo was moving in the opposite direction on the Königsallee, and they managed to turn off at the Corneliusplatz just in time to clear the way for the Schützen.
The Rheinkirmes takes place along the Rhine between the Rheinkniebrücke and the Oberkasseler Brücke. The procession route typically spans from the Kirmesplatz to the Altstadt (Old Town) of Düsseldorf. In 2023, the festival officially adopted the name "Rheinkirmes," reflecting its popular usage.
For the most precise details about Michelle Locker or this year's procession, official announcements from the Schützenverein or local Düsseldorf event listings would be the best sources to consult.
Michelle Locker, a police officer and the Regimentskönig in 2022, expressed her appreciation for the shooting sport as she emphasized the commitment of the Schützen to it. In 2025, she might take on a new role in the Rheinkirmes festivities, but specific details are yet to be announced.
Despite the bustling environment of the Rheinkirmes, sports such as shooting are an integral part of its tradition, underscored by the Schützen's active participation.
