Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The Cherryville New Year's Shooters came to ward off evil spirits for 2026 and bring good luck to all. The group spent 20 hours shooting, bringing together 550 shooters to welcome the new year with traditional musket shots.
The group started at midnight on January 1 at Black's Grill. They visited 50 homes and locations across Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland counties.
The Cherryville New Years Shooters at Blacks Grill- January 1st, 2026
Mason Beam (WNN)
This year's finale at Rudisill Stadium by the Cherryville New Years Shooters Inc. featured something that has never been done before. It's called a "Die Salve" shot, which is of German origin and derived from the word "salvo," meaning that all muskets are fired simultaneously. As always, spectators were advised to bring earplugs as this shot was loud. The inaugural shot was felt and heard by neighbors miles away. "I wanted to come up with something a little different this year for the stadium, and after researching some other German New Year's shooting techniques, decided on the 'Die Salve' shot," stated the shooters' group Secretary Rusty Wise. "It took all the group officers and shooters coordinating to pull it off. We had red flags to use, and in Germany, they also use flags. I think the crowd and shooters enjoyed it; we plan to make it an annual tradition going forward," stated Wise.
The Inaugural "Die Salve" Shot at Rudisill Stadium by The Cherryville New Years Shooters Inc. - January 1st, 2026
WNN
The Cherryville New Years Shooters doing the “Die Salve” shot - January 1st, 2026
Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
The New Year's shooting tradition dates back more than 200 years and was brought to North Carolina by German settlers in the 1750s, who settled near the Indian Creek and Howard's Creek areas. The practice is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune for the coming year.
The New Year's shooters were present in the area as early as 1750. German Immigrants settled in the Indian Creek and Howard's Creek area, north of Cherryville.
Before every shot, there is a timeless chant that is said:
Good morning* to you. sir**. We wish you a happy New Year,
Great health, long life, which God may bestow
So long as you stay here below. May he bestow the house you're in,
Where you go out, and you go in. Time by moments steals away,
First the hour and then the day. Small the lost days may appear,
But they soon mount up to a year. Thus, another year is gone,
And now it is no more of our own, but if it brings our promises good
As the year before the flood, but let none of us forget
It has left us much in debt, a favor from the Lord received
Since which our spirits hath been grieved. Marked by the unerring hand,
Thus, in His book our record stands. Who can tell the vast amounts
Placed to each our accounts? But while you owe the debt is large,
You may plead a full discharge. But poor and selfish sinners say,
What can you to justice pay? Trembling last for life is past
And into prison you may be cast. Happy is the believing soul,
Christ for you has paid the whole. We have this New Year's morning*
Called you by your name, and disturbed you from your rest,
But we hope no harm by the same. As we ask, come tell us your desire,
And if it be your desire, our guns and pistols they shall fire.
Since we hear of no defiance, you shall hear the art of science.
When we pull trigger and powder burns, you shall hear the roaring of our guns;
Oh, daughters of righteousness, we will rise and warm our eyes
And bless our hearts, for the old year's gone and the New Year's come
And for good luck, we'll fire our guns!
*The chant changes according to the time of day*
**Sir or Miss, depending on gender*
Some may not know it, but there are two New Year's shooters groups. The Cherryville New Years Shooters Inc., which is the original shooters group, and the Traditional New Year Shooters. Both groups honor the same tradition, but they are separate groups. They separated in 1955 due to differences in organizational choices, including leadership positions and locations.
Each group keeps its own schedules and locations, but they share the same dedication to keeping the unique New Year shooting tradition alive. This split allows more people to participate and covers more ground.
If you missed this year's event, do not worry. WNN live-streamed throughout the day. The live streams can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Check out the full photo gallery here.
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