Gunman's landmark birthday praised by esteemed visitor
In observance of their 175th anniversary, the Oberbilker Marksmen's Regiment held a spectacular celebration, inviting local icon Heino to perform at the Mitsubishi Electric Hall as an unforgettable highlight.
The day's festivities commenced with a parade honouring the current monarchs of the regiment. Accompanied by their spouses and fellow royals, Queen Antje Köppen-Wiese, Junior Marksmen King Daniel Heise, Student King Adrian Rüßeler, Page Queen Sophie Würfel, and the board, they promenaded along Markenstraße, surrounded by the ranks of the marksmen. Four battalions formed star-shaped formations, creating a spectacular sight.
Traditionally, the regimental leaders would arrive on horseback, yet this year they opted for a more humble approach, walking the procession route. However, carriages carried the monarchs through the district, with only these vehicles participating in the procession and subsequent parade.
Due to the inclement weather, many hats had a challenging time remaining intact. Nevertheless, the festive atmosphere remained undeterred, even under the forceful gusts.
Following the parade, Petra Kamps, better known by her stage name Radu, graced the stage as the confident emcee. As her fellow Amazons from the Amazon Corps and Regimental Queen Antje Köppen-Wiese were also celebrating anniversaries – the former marking 40 years, and the latter the climax of her term – they received warm recognition during the parade and throughout the event.
In charge of the ceremonies was 1st Chief Torsten Peterson, who later welcomed everyone to the festival tent and funfair. The evening's decision was to elect the new Junior Marksmen King, which went to Tobias Savelsberg from the Artillery Corps, along with Jana Vlahou at his side.
Having spent the day traipsing through the streets and enjoying various entertainments, the new monarchs and nobility graced the stage at 9 pm alongside the Page King Pair, the Student King Pair, and the board. Upon their entrance, the crowd roared with applause as Heino began his performance with the poignant ballad "Old Comrades."
On Monday, the focus shifted to the selection of the new Regimental King, with Ralf Gathmann of the 6th Grenadiers society impressively winning the shooting contest. He is set to be crowned the following evening, ending the markedmen's festival in Oberbilk with a fireworks display and a drum roll.
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Below, you will find a selection of the parade and festival images in our gallery:
1. Marching Regiment
A regal line of marksmen marching in ceremonial green uniforms, bearing historic banners and rifles, down Oberbilker Straße.
2. Brass Band Performance
The Oberbilker Brass Band filling the air with vibrant melodies amidst the cheering crowd.
3. Historical Reenactment
Actors bringing the formation of the regiment to life, wearing period costumes along the path of the parade.
4. Festival Grounds
Families laughing and chatting, savouring traditional delicacies and handcrafted goods in a lively atmosphere.
5. Shooting Competition
Competitors honing their aiming skills during the shooting competition, assisted by expert trainers.
6. Veterans Honored
A touching ceremony honouring the regiment's veterans, complete with the laying of wreaths under a commemorative plaque.
During the festivities, attendees were invited to explore a gallery featuring images from the event. One of the images depicted football enthusiasts showcasing their European-league jerseys as they cheered for their favorite teams, adding a touch of sports enthusiasm to the traditional celebrations. In a separate image, soccer balls were strategically placed among the parade formations, hinting at a friendly game of football possibly being scheduled as an additional entertainment option for the day.
