History.
In the Middle Ages citizens of Neuss, and any other German city, had the obligation to watch over their city and in case of emergency defend it with a gun in their hands. An annual shooting competition was supposed to test the ability of the citizens to defend their city. Even back then the marksmen shot for prizes and wreaths and crowned the best among them as king.
In the 15th century the marksmen system with military character linked with the city shooting competitions and the Schützenfest which is known today developed. Today the festival is not of military character anymore but of traditional and social character. This is why marksmen wear uniforms with dummy guns only.
Founded in 1823 the event counted 100 participants that year. In 1824 it was already 135. In the following decades today’s structures developed. First a committee was elected to organize the Schützenfest, later the marksmen’s king parade was added to the festival’s programme and finally the regiment split into different corps. Over the years ten corps developed with up to 1400 marksmen belonging to one corps nowadays. They differ from each other by wearing their own specific uniforms. This way the parades are diversified because they are not dressed equally.
During First and Second World War no Schützenfest was celebrated and also the economic crisis was a reason why it was cancelled in 1931.