Green County 2019 Guide

new glarus - america's little switzerland

new glarus - america's little switzerland

new glarus - america's little switzerland

fun facts + things to see and do

Snow Shoe Hike February 16 Kalberwurst Dinner March 9 Spring Sheep Shearing April 13-14 Bike Rodeo May 11 Swiss Village Opens for the Season - May 24

Heidi Folk Festival June 28-30

Art in the Park September 1

Start your visit with a step into the past. The statue on the front lawn of the Swiss United Church of Christ marks the site where the first settlers built a shelter after their long journey from Glarus, Switzerland, in 1845. The Swiss Historical Village & Museum offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the original "Glarners". Sit at a desk in the one-room school house, check out the accommodations in an original settler's cabin, picture yourself running with the other volunteer fireman to pull a 1902 ladder rig and hose cart, and see how cheese was made at a one-kettle factory. The original Swiss immigrants set the stage for Wisconsin’s future fame as America’s Dairyland when they purchased dairy cows in Ohio and herded them back to New Glarus. Before the clocks in the bell tower of the Swiss Church were electrified in 1947, they ran from cables and weights, and took a half-day to wind so they would run for the entire week. The bells play melodies on the hour. The Swiss roots of New Glarus are evident today in festivals, cuisine, folk art and architecture, family and business names, and herds of Brown Swiss that graze the green hillsides. Jodlerklub, Mannerchor, Kinderchor: the Swiss heritage of New Glarus is something to sing about! Drink local! Visit New Glarus Brewing Company and Bailey’s Run Vineyard. Bonus: great views overlooking the countryside while you sit and sip. While you’re downtown, stop in at the tasting room at Hawk’s Mill Winehaus,

featuring fruit wines made locally at their flagship location Hawk’s Mill Winery near Browntown. Eat local! Swiss favorites include cheese fondue (the Swiss national dish), roesti (ramped-up hash browns) raclette (melted cheese over boiled potatoes and pickles), kalberwurst (fresh veal sausage), and hearty Swiss artisan breads. You can also find other outstanding fare like pizza, pasta, and specialty salads (Sugar River Pizza), dishes with Mexican and Southwest influence (Kristi’s Bistro) signature burgers and mac-n-cheese of the week (Tofflers Pub & Grill) Limburger cheese on rye served up with hearty soups (Puempel’s Olde Tavern). Outside dining is a seasonal favorite. Porches, patios, courtyards or sidewalk seating are available at many locations. And don’t miss Thursday night summer cook-outs (plus accordion tunes!) on the patio at Chalet Landhaus. The New Glarus Chamber (located in the restored railroad depot that doubles as trailhead for the Sugar River Trail) is your one-stop shop for maps and visitor information. Bring your own wheels (or rent a bike at the chamber office) to ride the trail or the backroads. Trailside parking is available at the Chamber. If you see two friendly guys playing tunes on long wooden horns, it might be George and Heinz - two of Green County’s favorite alphorn ambassadors.

Blues, Brews and Food Truck Festival - June 29

Family Fest September 8 Oktoberfest

Fire Fest August 3 Swiss Volksfest August 4

September 26-29 Kilby Supper September 28 Swiss Village Harvest Fest October 13 Car-Truck-Motorcycle Show October 13 Holiday Open Houses November 8-10 Tipsy Turkey Pub Crawl November 30 St. Nicholas Day December 7 Lunch with Santa December 7 Holiday Tree Lighting December 7

Chicken BBQ May 24 Music Fest May 24-26 Roger Bright Memorial Polka Fest June 7-9 BBC (Beer - Bacon - Cheese) June 8

Alphornman Sprint Triathlon August 4 New Glarus Woods Trail Run August 17

Wilhelm Tell Festival August 30 - September 1

Visit swisstown.com for a complete calendar and the latest updates.