Already at the end of the 13th century was the origin of this traditional festival. Every year, citizens’ guards and marksmen’s guilds met in the cities of Germany to hold a practice shooting at parrots or birds. At the end of the 16th century, these practice shootings were proclaimed popular festivals.

A letter from 1654 shows that parrot shooting became “target shooting” and the Monday after St. John’s Day was always fixed as the date. Even today, a silver parrot hangs from the “king’s chain” of the Nienburg king of discs as the most valuable piece from 1581.

Program schedule:

• Friday at 5 p.m. – Festival kick-off with the local districts
• Saturday at 5 p.m. – devotion, parade through the old town and taps at 11 p.m.
• Sunday at 2 p.m. – children’s fun/family day at the disc square
• Monday at 8 a.m. – target shooting Monday (marching out)
• Wednesday – Public awarding of prizes in front of the town hall followed by a jacket potato dinner in the old town