To commemorate this historic event, the riflemen's association of Lucerne organized the Rütli rifle match in 1862. It is not held on August 1, however, but on the Wednesday before Martinmas. At five o'clock in the morning, a special ship sails from Lucerne, with stops in between, to the Rütli. Shortly thereafter, more than a thousand competitors from all over Switzerland begin to fire their fifteen shots at the fortyeight targets arranged on a cliff.

After a substantial meal, enhanced by specialties donated by the competitors from all regions of Switzerland, the meeting of the riflemen's association takes place. A prominent speaker addresses the group, the national anthem is sung, and the match results announced. As the music association band plays the final march, this patriotic celebration ends on a note of comradeship.