Schlappenschießen

On the Sunday before Schlappentag people who are in public life, tradespeople and members of rifle clubs have to demonstrate their shooting skills.

This “Schlappenschießen”  goes back to the rules set out for the original shooting practice of Hof’s tradesmen and takes place at the authentic site, as it has done for centuries, at the shooting range next to the clubhouse. The competitors assemble there on the morning of Trinity Sunday.

In the old days, the winner was exempted from paying taxes by the municipal authorities. Even today the town of Hof is generous and the three best marksmen are rewarded with a privilege which cannot be purchased: they are allowed to use the public car-parks for a year or half a year free of charge.

The champion, the “Schlappenkönig”, gets a silver chain placed around his neck containing the emblems of the local guilds and of the ten rifle clubs in Hof. The "Schlappenkönig" is not only honoured for his excellent marksmanship but, more importantly, he represents the continuation of an age-old historic tradition.

The "Schlappenkönige" of the past years where::