Translated as “The Marksman’s Festival,” Schützenfest began in the 15th century when, according to the legend, a German marksman shot an eagle that attacked a child. The marksman was made honorary king.
When German immigrants settled in Cincinnati, they brought the traditional fest with them, holding the first Schützenfest here in 1866.
Today, the Kolping Society continues the tradition with a weekend-long event that includes a competition for the shooting of a hand-carved eagle, a bier dash and authentic German food.
Dishes include:
- Homemade schnitzel dinners
- Homemade chicken dinners
- Spätzle from scratch
- Genuine schnitzel courtesy of Dayton Liederkranz
- Homemade potato pancakes
- Homemade sauerkraut balls
- Schützenwurst
- Limburger sandwiches
- Servatii soft pretzels
- German pastries
6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday. $3 adults; free 15 and younger. Kolping Center, 10235 Mill Road, Mount Healthy, kolpingcincinnati.com.
This article appears in Jul 10-17, 2019.
