This custom originated back in time about five hundred to six hundred years ago at a time when the knights' powers were declined and marksmen chiefly headed each village's security and were instrumental in prevention of enemy attacks. Archery contests took precedence over contest between the knights.
With time, this custom evolved and each village started carrying it out in their own individual style, while it gathered popular and festive items such as folk dances, costume competitions, food parties and so on. Today it has evolved to become a festival that almost attracts the same enthusiasm and involvement as Christmas or New Year celebrations.
At the festival, the marksmen are given a target to shoot at which is usually a wooden portrayal of an eagle. Many awards, medals and cups have been gifted while on is chosen as the champion, and chosen as the king of all marksmen until next year. While each village holds this festival in its individual way and at a time suited to them, the biggest festival in Germany takes place at Hannover in the first Sunday in July and competitors and viewers flock from all over the world, nearly filling up most of Hannover Germany hotels.
It is a commercially backed event and usually has a batch of around 5000 marksmen taking part. The world's largest parade can also be witnessed here as the marksmen's parade with over 12,000 participants joining from all over the world with over 100 bands and spans a distance of about 12km long. The chief attraction and perhaps the most exciting item is the Ferris wheel which is the world's highest transportable one with 60 meters of height.
At this time of year, finding accommodation in a Hannover hotel can be a bit of a daunting task. Copthorne Hotel Hannover is a popular choice for its distinctly superior standards in service and hospitality and extensive provision for accommodation with over 222 rooms and suites available
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