Böllerschützen Donaugau celebrates 25 years of tradition with a big party!

Böllerschützen Donaugau celebrates 25 years of tradition with a big party!

Last Saturday, June 16, 2025, the Böllerschützen Donaugau Deggendorf club celebrated a very special anniversary - its 25th anniversary. The barbecue took place in the picturesque ambience of the Schlossberg Schützen shooting house in Winzer. This day was all about the tradition that the club has maintained for a quarter of a century. The PNP reports that the celebrations opened with impressive gunfire, including a volley and a double whammy that left guests in awe.

Chairman Werner Bauer welcomed numerous guests of honor, including District Administrator Bernd Sibler and Mayor Jürgen Roith, who both gave greetings and congratulated the association on its anniversary. Particularly noteworthy is the long history of cannon shooting, which dates back to the 15th century. Many occasions celebrated today, from weddings to birthdays to New Year celebrations, were once traditionally accompanied by gunfire, as well the HSG Deggendorf determines.

A look into history

Werner Bauer took the opportunity to shed more light on the history of the club and cannon shooting. The first documented traces of firecracker shooting date back to 1377, while a Christmas shooting took place in the Deggendorf area as early as 1666. However, the revival of this tradition in the region only began in 1987, when Leo Neumaier, Hans Stumpf and Josef Seidl took the firecracker test, which is an important prerequisite for regulated firecracker shooting. In 1989 they received the first official permit for hand-held cannon shooting, and just a year later the “Böller” department was founded at HSG Deggendorf under Neumaier’s leadership.

The development gained momentum in 2000 when nine groups with a total of 86 cannon shooters came together and formed the club “Böllerschützen Donaugau Deggendorf e. V.” founded. Leo Neumaier was elected the first shooting master and Karl Thuy followed him a few years later. It was an upswing that continues to this day. The club now includes numerous shooters who are passionate about shooting cannons.

Tradition and future

Shooting firecrackers is not only a custom, but also an expression of joy of life and community. In 2008, the firecrackers accompanied Prime Minister Günther Beckstein with gunfire, and in 2014 the pedestrian bridge was ceremonially opened at the State Garden Show with a gun salute. The annual custom of Christmas and New Year's Eve shooting on the Pledlberg also has a long tradition, which Mayor Roith recalled to emphasize how important these local customs are for the community.

The Donaugau Deggendorf firecrackers are an example of the anchoring and passing on of historical traditions in modern life. The BSSB highlights that firecrackers are widespread in German-speaking countries and encompass numerous social, cultural and historical aspects. Firecracker shooting is not only used to honor guests, but also as an expression of living traditions and values ​​that are carried within.

The day ended with Werner Bauer thanking all helpers and supporters. In particular, he paid tribute to the chroniclers Klemens Pfeuffer and Franz Singer, without whose contributions the history and achievements of the association would not be so lively. Whether on festive occasions or as part of the local cultural heritage - the Böllerschützen and the Böllerschützen Donaugau Deggendorf club will continue to provide many unforgettable moments in the future.