Schützenfest of the Schützenkompanie Sepp Kerschbaumer Eppan

The Schützen festival of Appiano

The Schützenfest organized by the Schützenkompanie Sepp Kerschbaumer Eppan is one of the most cherished traditional events in the summer calendar of Appiano sulla strada del vino (known in German as Eppan an der Weinstraße), located in the heart of the Oltradige area in the province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige. Every year, on the second-to-last weekend of August, the rifle company invites locals and visitors to the festival grounds (Festplatz) in the village of San Michele/St. Michael, the main hub of the municipality of Appiano.

An authentic Tyrolean tradition

The Schützen are much more than a folk group: they represent one of the most deeply rooted identity institutions in South Tyrol, serving as guardians of the customs, language, and historical memory of the Tyrolean land. Seeing them parade in their historic uniforms, with feathered hats and banners, is a dive into the most authentic soul of South Tyrol. Their annual Schützenfest is not just a simple fair, but a community moment where the village gathers to celebrate together with music, good food, and conviviality.

Music, gastronomy, and conviviality

The program traditionally spans two days, with a covered Festzelt (marquee) ready to welcome guests even in case of bad weather. On Saturday evening, the festival kicks off with atmospheric music (Stimmungsmusik) performed by South Tyrolean and Tyrolean folk bands, keeping the party going until late at night. Sunday begins in the morning with the classic Frühschoppen, the musical aperitif that, in German-speaking lands, marks the convivial opening of a festive day.

At noon, the marquee offers specialties of Tyrolean cuisine: grilled dishes, fish platters, cured meats, the famous Strauben (spiral-shaped fritters typical of South Tyrol), and naturally, local wines, as Appiano is one of the most important wine-growing municipalities on the South Tyrolean Wine Road. In the afternoon and evening, the festival continues with music and dancing in an atmosphere of authentic village cheer.

The company and its history

The Schützenkompanie of Appiano was reconstituted in 1959, and in 1994, on the thirtieth anniversary of the death of its namesake, it took the name of Sepp Kerschbaumer, a symbolic figure in the recent history of South Tyrol. Beyond the Schützenfest, the company participates in the Corpus Christi procession in historic costume, the feast of Saint Sebastian, and numerous solidarity initiatives, keeping the identity and traditions of the Appiano community alive.