• Orchestra of the Prague Civil Sharpshooters Corps: participating orchestra
• 2 unspecified military music ensembles: participating ensemble

Prager Morgenpost 15/8/1863 published news of festivities being organized by the Prague Civil Sharpshooters Corps to celebrate the birthday on 18th August of the Emperor Franz Joseph. These comprised a prize-giving ceremony for the best marksmen of the Corps, a parade from the Old Town Square, and at 3pm a banquet in the hall on Shooters’ Island [Střelecký ostrov] for members of the Corps and their guests. The festival was to conclude in the evening with a dance entertainment. The performing ensemble, although not specified by the source, was most likely that of the Sharpshooters Corps. The Tagesanzeiger daily almanac of Prague social and musical events appearing in Prager Morgenpost 18/8/1863 also noted this event as the distribution of prizes to members of the Sharpshooters Corps on the the Schützeninsel [Střelecký ostrov].

A substantial review of this event was published by Prager Morgenpost 20/8/1863. The correspondent reported: ‘Shooters’ Island Festival [Schützeninsel-Fest]. A blissful ado reigned on the Shooters’ Island in the afternoon of the day before yesterday. The Civil Sharpshooters Corps celebrated along with the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor the end of the last company-shooting contests [‘Compagnieschließens’] with the festival distribution of winning medals for this event. For about an hour on the Island, which was tastefully decorated with banners and pennants, [and] where already a numerous crowd had assembled, the entire Corps paraded. The distribution of the prizes took place on the similarly very festively decorated shooting range, on which the Imperial coat of arms was... resplendent. The Mayor [of Prague], as Colonel of the three Prague Civil Corps, awarded the prize of the gold medal, comprising 50 ducats in Gold [‘bestehend in 50 Stück Ducaten in Gold’] and as many silver gulden. His Excellency the State Vice-president Count Belcredi, who attended the celebrations, was received with the national anthem and with a volley of shots [Pöllerschüssen]. The Corps paraded before His Excellency the Count Belcredi. After the prize-giving, in which the first prize was won by Major Steffek, a threefold ‘Hail’ was called. In the afternoon a great festival was arranged for the members of the Corps on the shooting range. The musical ensemble of the Corps enhanced the festival through the performance of favourite pieces. No less lively were the events on the remainder of the island, set aside for the large public [spectators], where between them two large military bands performed the best compositions until after midnight.... Another beautiful spectacle of the day came at dusk. A mass of lanterns [‘Lampions’ – possibly Chinese lanterns] and transparent balloons, as well as Bengal Lights, illuminated the bustling thousand-strong pleasure-gardens with a brilliant firework display. A brilliant Tableau [‘Brillant-Tableau’] lit in changing colours, depicting the initial letters of the Royal names under an Imperial crown, drew forth universal calls of Hail to His Majesty, and inspired the intoning once more of the national anthem. Also at the entrance to the island in the vicinity of the steps sported the Imperial monogram in flaming lights [‘in feurigem Lichte’ – presumably in flaming torches or some other lit display]. The Garden Hall [‘Gartensalon’] of the Island was relinquished to youth for dancing. Major Steffek collected over 200fl in aid of general good causes and presented this sum to the Mayor for the said purpose.’