Please enjoy these photos taken throughout the entire 2 day traditional celebration.
Schützenfest – The Shooting Competition
The Youth and Women's Competition
The addition of a Youth and Women's competition several years ago has added so much to this event. It's so fun to watch the adults coach their kids in safety and shooting skills. The women and kids have, at times, given the men a run for their money with scores in the mid 30's.
Schützenfest – The Youth Shooting Competition
Schützenfest – The Women’s Shooting Competition
Crowning the winners!....
Sunday evening, the whole community gathers to celebrate the Schützenfest champions. It's a wonderful evening filled with tradition, great brass band music, delicious food, and a celebration of skill and tradition.
Michael Sacks, the master of ceremonies, first introduced the winners of the Youth contest and then the Women's contest - both of whose names were Fricke! Connor Fricke captured his first youth shooting title with scores of 33 and 35. His mom, Monica Fricke, three-peated in the women's category, with scores of 32 and 34. Well done!
Then, excitement built as the 2025 Schützenkönig was announced. Judson Limmer, a first time winner, was introduced to the crowd's applause. Last year's Schützenkönig, Trey Leitko, conveyed the traditional cedar crown. RTRA President, Garrett Hinze, pinned the 24 carat logo pin, and then Judson was lifted high in the air by fellow RTRA members. Judson's first duty as Schützenkönig was to serve his fellow members nice cold German beer.
Schützenfest – Crowning the König
A newspaper article from the LaGrange Journal in 1896 describes a shooting contest with the same competition rules as are used today. You can read the article here.