New king in the shooting festival: Sebastian Mette triumphs in Holthausen!
Sebastian Mette is the new king of the St. Sebastian Rifle Brotherhood in Holthausen. He won the bird shooting on June 20, 2025.

New king in the shooting festival: Sebastian Mette triumphs in Holthausen!
The shooting festival was recently celebrated in picturesque Holthausen, where traditions and customs are upheld. Particularly exciting was the bird shooting, where a new king was crowned. Sebastian Mette secured the title of the St. Sebastian Rifle Brotherhood Holthausen-Huxel with the 133rd shot, following in the footsteps of numerous traditional predecessors. This event attracts locals and visitors alike and brings a festive atmosphere to the place. Again Sauerland courier reported, the best pictures of the festival and the joyful atmosphere among the shooting brothers and sisters were worth an article.
Bird shooting is a deeply rooted tradition in Germany that is important not only for the shooters but also for the entire community. A wooden bird is attached to a high pole and shot with a crossbow and special bolts. The shooter who takes down the last piece of the bird becomes king. This unique way of obtaining the title is the heart of the Schützenfest and brings the roots of the custom to life. The audience and participants heard it again and again: “He shot the bird!” This saying has its origins in exactly this ritual, as dsb.de explains.
Music and celebrations
But the shooting festival in Holthausen has much more to offer. It is also accompanied by a colorful music program that is a feast for the senses for both young and old. The event is a real music festival that provides guests with lots of entertainment and creates a good atmosphere. How Düsseldorf Current reports, there is a lot of music in the St. Sebastian festival that gets the waves of celebratory mood swinging.
The parade is also an essential part of such a festival, with flags being waved. This custom is particularly important in the Rhineland. Traditionally, the shooters wear their festive costumes and proudly display their club flags. The shooting king recently commissioned the creative design of the wooden targets for the decoration of the shooting houses, thus combining tradition and art in a wonderful way.
A look into the future
The Schützenfest is more than just an occasion to celebrate; it also serves the social exchange that is rooted in the heart of the village community. While the festival is often perceived as a mixture of a fairground and a beer tent, it follows a fixed routine that is deeply anchored in customs. The combination of joyful celebration and respectful honoring of traditions is a sign of the vitality of these cultural practices that are passed down across generations.
On this occasion it becomes clear once again how important these festivals are for community cohesion. Whether shooting, celebrating or making music, the shooting festival in Holthausen is filled with life and joy. The coming months are sure to bring much preparation for future celebrations, and the anticipation of the next gathering and the revival of these traditions is already palpable.