Schuetzenfest will return as a two-day event

BOW VALLEY— Organizers for Bow Valley's huge German heritage celebration were disappointed when they had to cancel last year's Schuetzenfest event.

It turns out the cancellation ended up being a good thing in disguise.

Organizers are now planning a new celebration for July 31 and Aug. 1. The new celebration will be held 125 years after the first Schuetzefest was organized here.

"I guess maybe it was meant to be," said Randy Noecker, who is one of the event's organizers.

The celebration of Schuetzenfest honors this area’s German heritage in a traditional festival dating back to the early 17th century.

Schuetzenfest was held yearly for many years. It was then stopped all together until 1996, when area residents once again brought it back. From there, the event has been held every five years.

This year's event will begin Saturday, July 31, when food vendors will set up outside the Bow Valley Balloroom and the first baseball game of the weekend begins. That will be followed by a horse shoe tournament and the opening of the beer garden.

Mass will be held at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Bow Valley, at 5 p.m. Special memorial services at the cemetery will then be held. The opening ceremony is slated to begin back at the Ballroom at 7 p.m. A shooter's banquet and dance will wrap up the Saturday's evening events.

A parade from Bow Valley to the Ballroom will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Kids carnival games will begin at noon, at the Ballroom, and the shooting begins at 1 p.m. That will be followed by the coronation of the new King and his Queen.

A Corn Hole tournament, talent show, greased pig contest and a polka band are also part of the Sunday line up.

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