Swiss Society Announces 2023 Celebration
It’s time once again for the annual Swiss Heritage Celebration on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CDT) at the Stoker-Stampfli Farm Museum in Gruetli-Laager, Tenn. The public is invited to join the fun. You don’t have to be Swiss to attend.
The event commemorates the 154th year since families from Switzerland settled the Colony of Gruetli in Grundy County. Last year, nearly 700 people attended.
This year, the Consul General from the Swiss Consulate in Atlanta, Urs Bronnimann, and his wife, Katrin Bronnimann, plan to attend as honored guests. The Swiss Society of Nashville plans to send a contingency and meet during the festival.
The featured musicians will be the Musik Meisters from Nashville, a prominent polka band known in the city’s German restaurants. A local group that jams regularly on the mountain will offer additional musical entertainment.
Besides the music and dancing, visitors can glimpse rural life in the late 1800s by touring the historic farmhouse and viewing its furnishings, documents, memorabilia and quilts. Attendees can purchase soaps, crafts, handmade children’s toys, mountain plants and herbs. Local artisans will demonstrate soapmaking, woodworking, and carding and weaving of Alpaca wool. The Tullahoma Ham Radio Club, MTARS, will demonstrate how emergency preparedness involves the use of radio communication.
Children will enjoy jumping in the bouncy house and swinging on a tire swing. Kids of all ages can ride a flag-festooned wagon around the grounds.
Vendors will sell beverages, bratwurst, sandwiches, canned goods, fried pies and baked goods, including Swiss cookies and Springerle cookies. A highlight of the day is always the tasting booth featuring locally made wine and cheese.
Additional vendors are welcome. To apply, please contact Jackie Lawley at (931) 235-3029 or <jackie@swisshistoricalsociety.org>.
The cost is $5 per person. Children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is free.
For more information, visit www.swisshistoricalsociety.org, the website of the Grundy County Swiss Historical Society.