BSV-Chicago Monthly Membership Meetings (See Calendar) commence at 8:00 p.m., with doors opening, only for members on those days, at 7:30. On all other days the club will be open at 7:00 with the range opening at 7:30
MEMBER NOTICE-2025 is an election year, so please consider running for an office to help in bettering our club with your unique talents. You must announce your intention to run no later than October as we will hold the election at the meeting in uniform in November, 2025.
2026. With another highly successful year beginning to wind down, we are in November afterall, we will post a few dates of interest for the coming year here, until we can publish a new calendar and send it out to everyone around the third week of January. Stay tuned as we will post more as we receive them.
Feb 14th, 2026, It’s Karneval Season and Maskenball at the DANK Haus. Join us as we dress up and party with the R.V. Details as we learn them.
March 7th, 2026, St Hubertus Dinner. We typically send a table full of Brandenburgers to this event, and it never fails to please. The food is really, really good and we spend the evening with every club in the area. If you haven’t attended yet, think about going
CALENDAR for 2025
Our 2025 Calendar Page is modified and updated all year long, please check here frequently
22 January: Annual King and Queen Shoot. Even if you don’t wish to serve as one of the Royal Paar, come out and enjoy all of the comaraderie and laughs.
22 February*: RV Maskenball, time to get into costume and mingle with a few hundred close friends, the BSV has approximately a dozen members attending at this time.
1 March*: St Hubertus annual Dinner (Hirschbraten) and Dance at the Donauschwaben Hall in Des Plaines. Amazing food, and still only 65 bucks a ticket.
4 April: BSV Ball Meet and Greet, we will be welcoming Saturday’s participants with a informal get together on the 2nd floor from 7:00-10;00. Snacks served.
5 April: 8:00 AM, range will open to our guests for the morning shoot at DANK Haus. Breakfast and libations will be served.
5 April: Noon, our guests are invited to visit the Niedersachsen Club of Chicago, which is a two minute walk from DANK Haus, for an afternoon of Freundschaft und Gemutlichkeit, please contact BSV-Chicago in advance if you would like to attend.
5 April: Our annual ball commences with doors opening at 6:00 PM and dinner served at 7:00. We are thrilled to announce that live music will be performed by our veru own John McLaughlin and his band Pieptone, and catering will once again be provided by Himmels.
Pieptone: https://www.facebook.com/Pieptone/
Himmels: https://www.facebook.com/HimmelsChicago
24 April: St Sebastian Club Competition begins, remember you must shoot in two of the three weeks beginning the 24th to qualify for an award
16-18 May: Ohio Regional Schuetzenfest: We hit the road and visit friends in Columbus, for the annual Ohio competition. Columbus has put aside a block of rooms for us at the Hyatt Place Grandview, which is conveniently located next door to the Hofbrauhaus.
UPDATE: 5/10 I have posted a traffic update on the News and Notes Page
29 May-01 Jun: Maifest will again take over Lincoln Square and we have been lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to participate with our friends from the Niedersachsen Club this year. There will be lots of volunteer possibilities.
6-7 June*: Forest Park German Fest at the Altenheim, 7824 W Madison, just outside of Chicago. Normally this event conflicts with our shoot in Peoria but not this year, so lets put a large group together and go to the historic Altenheim.
UPDATE: Pieptone is playing on Saturday at the Forest Park German Fest, lets go!
The Historic Altenheim: http://www.forestparkhistory.org/altenheim.html
19 June: Meeting in Uniform, attend and be presented with any awards you have earned so far this year, and enjoy a relaxing evening with friends.
27-28 June: Peoria is hosting their final Wettschiessen at the Lindenhof ever as they are expanding and moving into new digs next year. What wonderful times we have had as a club there, so come and compete one last time as we strive to take back the Wanderpokal.
25-27 July: German Fest in Milwaukee-We would like to get a group to go and march on Saturday with our Schuetzengeschwister of the Midwest Schuetzenbund.
10 August: 4th Annual Karl Frentz Memorial Picnic. One of the big club outings of the year, as always thank you Bruce and Krista for making it possible.
15-16 August: We have been invited to attend the Omaha Schuetzenverein’s inaugural Sommer Shoot, this year. This will be the first club trip out to Nebraska and it promises to be a great time, make plans to be one of the first from the BSV to hit the great plains.
Added: Additional Information for Omaha on the News and Notes Page, 6/25
6 September: Steuben Day Parade, a club tradition, march down Lincoln avenue along with family, and the Brandenburger Tor. Probably the best club event of the year!
Club Championship Dates/Change: The Club Championship will not begin on September 24th as indicated on our Calendar, but has been changed to Oktober 1, Oktober 8, and Oktober 15. Thank you, and remember to shoot on two of those dates to qualify.
3 October*: Tag der Deutschen Einheit
5 October*: German-American Commemoration Day. The BSV will join 30 or more area clubs at St Bens to celebrate the German contribution to America. Please consider joining us for drinks beforehand (and after?) and do come in full uniform.
German American Day is public law, thanks to President Reagan. Thanks Ron! Link to Wikipedia Entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German-American_Day
11 October: Again, and by popular demand, the BSV in support of the DANK Haus is holding a “Night with the BSV” a by invitation only event that raises money for the Haus. Thank you, club members for assisting in this important fund raiser plan on arriving at 6:00 pm.
18 October: St Louis Schuetzenschiess u. Tanz, the years last inter-club competition takes place in StL, plan on coming and representing the BSV. I have included additional info at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XeL06cUYsvdSQ5bRcLHfjk961nWmb0_r/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112326012553901686683&rtpof=true&sd=true
18-19 October: Chicago Architectural Centers (CAC) annual, Open House Chicago, event. Thousands stream into the DANK Haus this weekend just to interact with the BSV-Chicago. Link Here: https://www.architecture.org/open-house-chicago/about
Attn Members: The weekend of 17-18-19 October represents a challenge for the club as we will have a team shooting away in St Louis that weekend, as well as needing volunteers at the DANK for the Open House Event. Please consider making time to participate in one, or the other if you possibly can. Danke Sehr.
October 25 (1990): Founders Date, the club was officially recognized by the State of Illinois, on this date. Thanks to all who put the work in to make our club possible.
November 12: Club Meeting in Uniform and Bi-Annual Election of Officers-Your chance to run for office and help direct the future of the club. Please consider running and share your unique talents with the BSV, announce your attention no later than the Oct Meeting.
- Indicates a Non-Club Event of Interest
Calendars from Previous Years
For your Information-Archival Event Calendar for 2024
January 24: King and Queen shoot. Come out and see who will be this year’s King and Queen, even if you don’t wish to serve yourself, it’s a great and fun filled evening.
February 10*: Rheinischer Verein Maskenball. What a great time with friends.
March 2*: St Hubertus Club of Chicago’s, Jaeger Ball Dinner and Dance. A great time, and highly recommended. Our members have had a wonderful time the last two years and we will once again get a table, please let us know if your interested.
April 12: Meet and Greet with all of our SV Schuetzengeschwister, in the Brandenburger Room at DANK Haus, beginning at 7:00 pm. Drinks and snacks provided. All are welcome, come out and either make new or see old friends.
April 13: 7:30 until about noon, our annual shooting competition where guests from across the Midwest vie to claim the Wanderpokal. Drinks and snacks provided.
April 13: Special Event-All of our shooting guests are invited to join our friends at the conclusion of the shoot at the Niedersachsen Club, at one o’clock where the official Schalke 04 Fan Club of Chicago will be hosting a watch party of the Royal Blues versus FC Nurnberg.
April 13: King and Queen Ball. Once again we welcome our new Royal Couple, be aware that we sold out of tickets last year, so grab them when they become available.
April 24: Annual In-House, St Sebastian’s Competition begins, shoot on this date and one more over the next two weeks to qualify for a club award. Good Luck to All
April 27*: Bock Fest in Roselle, Illinois. We have even been invited to march in the noon parade this year, what a great opportunity to introduce our new King and Queen to the world. Additional information can be found on the News & Notes page of this site.
18 May 2024*: Come celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lustigen Holzhackers who have put a truly impressive day of events together in honor of their anniversary.
May 30-June 1 and June 2: Maifest in Lincoln Square has returned to Lincoln Avenue and the BSV has once again been invited to participate.
June 1: Cincinnati Shoot. Germania Cincinnati’s biennial event has been pushed back from May to June 1st.
June 21-22*: German Fest at the Altenheim in Forest Park. Visit our near neighbors at the historic Altenheim and have a great time for just two bucks admission.
Update to the Forest Park German Fest: Our very own Johnny Mac and his band Pieptone will be featured performers at the Fest and are appearing on Saturday 22 Jun from 2:00-5:00 pm. Check them out at…https://www.facebook.com/Pieptone/
June 29: UPDATE-This event was originally scheduled for June 22 as indicated on our calendar: Our favorite away trip of the year, hosted by our friends in Peoria. Come with us and help wrest the Wanderpokal away from the Peorians!
July 26-28*: German Fest in Milwaukee, be there on Saturday and represent the club in the big parade on the 27th with other club members, as well as Schuetzenvereine from across the midwest.
August 18: Rescheduled from August 11. Annual Karl Frentz Memorial Picnic, thanks to Bruce & Krista Frentz for making this event again possible at our usual stomping grounds in Glenview. Come one, come all and bring the family for a good time!
September 7: German Day is back along with the Lincoln Square Oktoberfest Celebration. Join the BSV on our float as we march down Lincoln. Parade kicks off at 2:00 pm, come march with us!
Putting on the weekend long fest is a big job, and the Festival can always use a little help. Members are strongly encouraged to volunteer for a shift and please remember to mark the box on the form with “BSV” as the club will receive a little compensation for your efforts.
October 3*: Tag der Deutschen Einheit
October 6: German-American Commemoration Day. The BSV will join area clubs at St Bens from 2:30-4:30 to celebrate the German contribution to America. Please consider joining us for drinks beforehand.
October 12: The BSV hits the road as we visit our friends a DANK South in Frankfort, Illinois and give a demonstration of what we do. All BSV members are welcome.
October 19: We return to St Louis for their annual shoot as St Louis will also be hosting us this weekend at their traditional home. If you haven’t been, make the trip this year.
October 19-20: Open House Chicago. Help show off Dank Haus, and the BSV, to thousands of guests. The BSV has been voted the number one favorite thing about the tour regularly since 2018. Spend a couple of hours with your friends, and have fun. Saturday 11-4, Sunday 11-3 and plan on staying for some libations, afterwards.
October 25 (1990): Founders Date, the club was officially recognized by the State of Illinois, on this date. Thanks to all who put the work in to make our club possible.
October 26: DANK Haus auction event, a “Night with the BSV” will be held on behalf of our friends at DANK. Come out and help show off the club as we benefit DANK.
November 15: Our annual club turkey shoot. Vie for prizes, and a bird, while having a few laughs. Always a good time!
December 4: Fall meeting in Uniform, changed from November 20th-thank you for your understanding.
For Your Information- Archival Event Calendar 2023
January 25: King and Queen shoot. Come out and see who will be this year’s King and Queen, even if you don’t wish to serve, it is a very fun evening.
February 18*: Maskenball at the DANK, hosted by our friends, Rheinisher Verein-Chicago. Doors open at 6:30 and tickets are only 25.00 in advance, 35.00 at the door. Cash bar with food available for purchase, music provided by Phenix band. For tickets, visit karnevalchicago.org OR email Kim Duncan at kimduncanatrvchicago1890membership@gmail.com
March 4*: The St Hubertus Club of Chicago, Jaeger Ball Dinner and Dance. What a fantastic time, highly recommended and members had a wonderful time together last year, anyone interested in going, we will get a table. 625 Seegers Road, Des Plaines, donation of 50.00 For more see, https://www.sthubertuschicago.org/
March 24: King’s Shoot & Ball Weekend. Our annual event kicks off with Friday nights Meet and Greet for our visiting friends, and club members on the second floor. Come out and meet everyone, snacks provided.
March 25: (SOLD OUT) Saturday morning begins with our annual invitational shoot to take home the Wanderpokal. Even if you are not shooting, come out and enjoy breakfast and root on the BSV. Then, that evening is our King & Queen Ball, held in the Marunde Saal, on the 5th Floor. Catering is from Himmel’s, Musik is by Paloma and the revelers from across the Midwest. Representatives from Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and of course Illinois will all come together to install King Larry and Queen Dahra into their new positions.
April 25*: Bockfest in Roselle. See our news and notes page for more details.
April 26: Saint Sebastian Competition. Internal Club Marksmanship Competition which is open to ALL members, you need to shoot two, of the three following dates to qualify, April 26, May 3rd and/or May 10th. Good Luck!
May 6*: DANK Haus Gala, DANK’s premier fundraising event of the year. In support of our friends, we will once again be offering a private evening with the BSV, as one of the items for up for the silent auction. For specifics check, dankhaus.com
May 19-20: Columbus Shooting Club competition. Save the date, further information to follow but in the meantime check out, germaniacolumbus.org for information about their club.
June 1-4: Maifest. One of Chicago’s most popular street fairs returns to Lincoln Square and kicks off Thursday, June 1st at 5:00 pm. The BSV will be participating in the Fest this year and details have been announced as they emerge, for Festival Information, see… http://www.mayfestchicago.com/ In order to volunteer to help, just click on the link below
Niedersachsen.ivolunteer.com/manifest!
June 21: Meeting in Uniform, St Sebastian Competition Winners to be announced. If you haven’t dropped by the club in awhile, this meeting is a great opportunity to stop in and say hello to friends.
June 24: Peoria Sportverein Schutzenball. Our favorite trip of the year by far, 14 BSV members made the short ride to visit our friends in Peoria last year. If you have never gone on a road trip with the club before, this is the one to make, group rates for lodging are available, let us know if you have any questions.
June 23-24*: German Fest in Forest Park, at the Altenheim. Members unavailable to make the trip to Peoria can check out this nearby Festival held on Madison street at the historic Altenheim. For a truly fascinating look on the history of the Altenheim, see http://www.forestparkhistory.org/altenheim.html
Note for July: The Club will not be meeting on either July 5th, or on July 26th. If the club calendar reads “Open” it means the club is closed, and that it is an open date.
July 28-30*: German Fest in Milwaukee. We sent a contingent to march in the big Saturday parade last year; if you wish to join us again this year, please mention it to Matt Hoppe.
August 13: 2nd Annual Karl Frentz Memorial Picnic. Thanks to Bruce & Krista Frentz for making this event again possible at our usual stomping grounds in Glenview. Come one, come all for a good time!
September 9: German Day-Von Steuben Parade through Lincoln Square. Put on your uniform and get on the float as we once again march up Lincoln. Enjoy good food and libations as you do so. See You There!
If you wish to volunteer and work the Festival you may sign up here…
https://germanday.ivolunteer.com/gd_2023
September 27: Club Championship, come shoot and claim the title as Meister!
Note for October: A small error in the calendar has us meeting in uniform this month instead of our traditional meeting in November. Please disregard, the Fall Meeting and celebration will be held in November and not October, as usual. Apologies for any inconvenience.
October 1*: German American Day Commemoration at St Benedicts, 2215 W. Irving Park Road. Come and Honor the German settlement in America along with all of the regions German ethnic clubs, as well as singing, and probably a speech or two. The event begins at 2:30 and lasts until 4:30, and do please come in uniform. Libations afterwards.
October 14: 10:00-2:00. Open House Chicago visits the DANK Haus again this year. This is one of the best events of the year to showcase the club and we will need members on this day and the 15th to act as hosts, and safety officers for our guest range participants.
October 15: 11:00-3:00. Day two of Open House Chicago. Surveys have consistently revealed that people rate their visit to the BSV as the highlight of their days tour. Lets keep that trend alive, if you have time help the club, we would love to see you.
Link to Open House Chicago 2023: https://openhousechicago.org/sites/
October 18: At this monthly meeting, and Per XI (D) of the By Laws, help elect the Election Board, for the upcoming Biennial Election of Club Officers to be held in November, and/or announce your own candidacy if you plan to run yourself. Come and celebrate 33 years of the Brandenburger Schuetzenverein
October 21: St Louis, St Hubertus Shoot & Tanz. Take a ride to StL for their annual event which occurs every year on the third Saturday of the month
October 25 (1990): Founders Date, the club was officially recognized by the State of Illinois, on this date. Thanks to all who put the work in to make the club possible.
November 11*: Helau and Alaaf, come celebrate Germanys fifth season with Prince Mark and the Rheinischer Verein at DANK Haus. The club will be getting a table, and further details are forthcoming, but let Matt know now if your interested in sitting with us.
November 15: Annual Meeting in Uniform. This meeting will feature our biennial Officers Election, you can help make a difference in the club and run for office, or select the best candidates that do. Receive your club awards for the year, and enjoy the evening as we celebrate another successful year at the BSV.
December 8: As part of the annual DANK Fundraiser, the BSV volunteered their time and expertise in hosting a shooting event for one successful bidder and 30 of his closest friends. Come out and help us run a safe and fun event, all while helping DANK Haus!
- Indicates a Non-Club Event of Interest
For Your Information-2022 Archival Event Calendar
Thank you to all of you for helping make 2022 one of the great years in the history of the BSV. The club continues to grow and create memorable experiences every year, and we can’t wait for 2023. Gut Schuss!
May 20-21: Cincinnati, Ohio Schuetzen Competition. This will be our first chance in a long time to visit with our Schuetzen Geschwister in Cincinnati. Lets send a nice group out there this year. All interested should see both Suzanne, and the Schiesswart asap.
June 5: UPDATE (4/22)-As this date conflicts with Maifest we will be rescheduling, TBA, details to follow. The Pig Roast is back by popular acclaim! This years Pig Roast and Fruhschoppen will be hosted at the Niedersachsen Club, see Jason for details
June 24-26: Peoria Schutzenball at the Lindenhof. We will be taking a team down to Peoria again this year, so if your interested in competing with us and having a really great time please let the Schiesswart know so we can make plans to accommodate you.
June 24-25: German Fest- in Forest Park at the Altenheim. A great option for members not planning on taking the ride to Peoria
July 13: Chicago Fire FC Game. Our trip to see the Fire along with our friends at the Niedersachsen Club of Chicago. See John Fuller for ticket availability *Note: This date was originally recorded as being the 15th, which was incorrect. Hopefully this hasn’t caused any inconvenience to too many members-apologies to Andreas & Sabine, we will see you next year
July 29-31: Milwaukee German Fest-German Fest has returned from a 2 year COVID absence. If you would be interested in going as a group and/or representing the BSV in their parade, please contact Matt at your earliest opportunity.
August 13: United German American Societies of Greater Chicago’s, Deutsche Tag Vereinigung, 100 Anniversary Gala. This event will be held at the White Eagle in Niles, if there are enough interested members in going, we will purchase a BSV Table.
Update 14 Jul 2022: Cost is 85.00 per person, and drinks will be served starting at 5:30. There are only six remaining seats at our table, so please contact Matt Hoppe if you are interested and don’t wait until the last second!
August 14: 1st Annual Karl Frentz Memorial Picnic. Thanks to Bruce & Krista Frentz for making this event again possible at our usual stomping grounds in Glenview. UPDATE: Additional details on the Blog Page
September 10: German Day & von Steuben Parade, always an outstanding time! Come out and march with the BSV and enjoy all the other activities of the ‘Day’.
October 3: Deutsche Vereine Mass at St. Benedicts
October 15-16: Annual St. Louis Marksmanship and Ball. Join the club on the trek down to St. Louis and compete for shooting honors. If your interested in attending, please contact the Schiesswart about travel and room arrangements.
October 15-16: Open Haus Chicago. Presented by the Chicago Architectural Center, allowing visitors to see hidden corners of Chicago, including this weekend, the Dank Haus. For BSV members unable to take the ride to St Louis, come set up the range and make new friends as we show off the club, Saturday 10-2 pm and Sunday 11-3. Additional details can be found at https://openhousechicago.org/
October 19: Semi-Annual, Formal Meeting, dust off your uniforms and wear them if you have them, this meeting is a must for all club members. Reconnect with friends, if you have been away for awhile and enjoy the gemuetlichkeit of the night. Pending shooting awards will also be awarded to those that have earned them. See everyone there!
November 9: Annual Turkey Shoot. Come and shoot for prizes and bragging rights! We have invited our new friends from the Open Haus event to come and meet the members and see the club. It will be good to see everyone there. Note-no real turkeys will be harmed!
Nov 18-Dec 24: Christkindlmarkt returns to Chicago for an entire month. In years past, we have even gone down as a group for a little drink, a little food, anybody interested in doing so again let us know at the meeting. For additional information, see https://www.christkindlmarket.com/
December 3: This Saturday is a rare chance to join other club members for an event at the, and in support of our friends at the DANK. The BSV is holding a closed shooting for DANK Haus supporters who bid for the privilege of spending time with our club. It is a great opportunity to show off the BSV to new people as well as to have a good time with one another while were at it. If you would like, wear your club T-Shirt/Sweatshirt/Vest/Hat or whatever moves you and spread the word about the BSV.
Brandenburger Schuetzen Verein Chicago 