The New Glarus Chamber of Commerce and Swiss Center of North America are hosting a special weekend celebration in honor of the 175+1 anniversary of the founding of New Glarus! Originally planned for 2020, the anniversary celebrations were rescheduled to 2021 due to the pandemic. Interestingly enough, that was not the first time the anniversary had to be postponed – the centennial anniversary festivities in 1945 were also delayed a year to allow the men and women away at war to return home.

Friday, July 30th, will be the Community Picnic and Volksfest at Village Park from 4:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Free live Swiss music, featuring Jodlerklub, Mannerchor, Larry Daehn, D’Schwiizer Gruppe, the Nancy and Kaye Yodeling Duo, a glimpse into the Heidi Play, alphorns, flag throwers, and more will be on stage in the park from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The New Glarus Lions will have their annual BBQ fundraiser out of Fest Haus from 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., and there will be bounce houses for the kids. Around 6:30 p.m., join us at the music stage to hear Swiss Consul General Bruno Ryff speak as the representative of Switzerland to the United States, followed by the singing of Happy Birthday to New Glarus and free birthday treats for all. 4th Avenue between Railroad Street and 2nd Street will be closed Friday evening to allow seating to view the fireworks at dusk – bring your camp chairs!

On Saturday, July 31st, come downtown to see the 175th+1 Anniversary Parade, sponsored by the Bank of New Glarus. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., from the New Glarus Bible Church, passing near the New Glarus Home, around Village Park, through downtown, and past Glarner Park. The parade will be led by Parade Marshal Hans Lenzlinger, Chairman of the 150th Anniversary Planning Committee.

The parade lineup will include: New Glarus Police, American Legion Color Guard, Bank of New Glarus Banner Leaders, Brown Swiss Cows - Voegeli Family, Parade Marshal - Hans Lenzlinger, New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, Green County Dairy Princess/New Glarus Dairy Queen Izzy Zimmerman, UW Marching Band, Swiss Center of North America, Duerst Guest House, Green County Dairy Queen/Belleville Dairy Queen Cortney Ehlert, New Glarus Bible Church, Juda Dairy Queen Katie Brooks, Bank of New Glarus, Argyle Dairy Queen Lindsay Connors, Heidi Folk Fest, Monroe Dairy Queen Sydney Connors, New Glarus Fire Ladder Drill, New Glarus Fire Trucks, New Glarus Area EMS, Brooklyn Dairy Queen Ava Bergeland, NG Tae Kwon Do, Jolly Giants Stilt Walkers, Brodhead Dairy Queen Maddie McGuire, New Glarus Amvets Post 69, Albany Dairy Queen Shai Parker, Swiss Historical Village & Museum, Blanchardville Dairy Queen Kylee Hathaway, New Glarus Parks Commission, 1st Brigade Band, Monticello Dairy Queen Jaydan Hummel, New Glarus Public Works, New Glarus Home, Consul General of Switzerland in Chicago, LSM Chiropractic, Browntown Dairy Queen Sophia Winters, Don & Pauline Ott Family.

For more details and parade route map, visit http://www.Swisstown.com.

After the parade on Saturday, stay downtown for the annual New Glarus Fire Department’s Firefest at the fire station, 218 4th Avenue. From 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., enjoy firetruck rides, fire safety house, spray house, kid water fights, bounce houses, 50/50 raffles, and great food and beverages available for purchase. Pork chop dinner from 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., and then dance the night away from 8:00 p.m.-Midnight with Kings of Radio!