Former artillery commander ascends to ship's second-in-command position
In March, Dieter Kampkotter was elected as the 1. Chief of the St. Sebastianus Shooting Brotherhood Gerresheim, a role he now shares with his current position as the Regimental King in the same district. With the shooting festival approaching from June 16 to 19, Dieter will lay down his royal duties, as his successor will be crowned on Monday evening.
During the shooting festival, Gerresheim buzzed with energy, as colorful pennant chains adorned the streets and shooting music filled the air. For the shooting enthusiasts, the Regimental King Shooting took place two weeks before the festival, giving the ladies ample time to choose their coronation attire.
Andrea Richter, from the 2nd Grenadier Company, will accompany the new Regimental King, Tim Kaesch, in the parade. The new Junior Shooting King is Philipp Altena, Shooting King John Koch, and Page Queen Melina Mueller, all also from the 2nd Grenadiers.
The spectacle of the parade saw the radiant Regimental King Pair, Dieter and Sigrid Kampkotter, greeting the numerous crowdengers. The parade was followed by a ride through the district in their carriage and a parade held in their honor, marking the highlight of their reign.
Even the Gerresheim Spielmannszug, a local brass band, had an early start on Sunday, participating in the annual festival parade. The majesties enjoyed the procession in their carriages, while seniors of the brotherhood rode in carriages as well.
On Monday evening, the new page, school, and junior shooting kings will be crowned, with the Regimental King Pair waiting for their coronation until the following Monday. The festival concluded with a grand tattoo and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Photos from the festival are available for purchase via email, and donations are appreciated. However, as this tradition isn't widely documented, there's no further information available on the history or significance of the Regimental King role in Gerresheim.
During the festival, the Regimental King Pair, Dieter and Sigrid Kampkotter, embrace the lifestyle of outdoor-living and home-and-garden adornments, as the streets buzz with energy and pennant chains flutter elegantly. Amidst the fervor, one can imagine Andrea Richter, from the 2nd Grenadier Company, and the newly crowned Regimental King, Tim Kaesch, share insights about home-and-garden ideas while on their parade route.
