Schützenfest Hannover

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The Schützenfest Hannover (Schützenfest of Hanover, Germany) is the largest marksmen's funfair in the world. The origins of this funfair is located in the year 1529. It takes place once a year, is commercially organized and includes a big entertainment program. The 2008 Schützenfest will take place from the 4th to the 13th of July. The Schützenfest consists of more than 5,000 marksmen, more than 260 rides and inns, five large beer-tends and the "Marksmen's Parade". The highlight of this funfair is the 12 kilometres (7 mi) long Parade of the Marksmen with more than 12,000 participants from Germany and all over the world, among them around 5.000 marksmen, more than 100 bands and more than 40 wagons, carriages and big festival vehicles. It is the longest parade in Europe, probably in the world. Around 2 million people visit this funfair every year. The landmark of the funfair is the highest transportable Ferris wheel in the world (Steiger-60-metres Ferris Wheel). It is 60 metres (197 ft) high and can transport 420 people in 42 cabins.

[edit] See also

Oktoberfest Hanover, which is the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, with around 160 rides and inns, two large beer tents and around 1 million visitors each year.
Hanover also hosts one of the two largest Spring Festivals in Europe with around 180 rides and inns, 2 large beer tents and around 1.5 million visitors each year.