NEW GLARUS, Wis. — New Glarus’ Swiss heritage was on full display Saturday afternoon as the community celebrated an ancient New Year’s celebration called Silvesterchlausen.
The celebration saw performers in green tree-inspired costumes yodel and play cowbells at stops throughout the village’s downtown before an evening of Swiss musical entertainment at Tofflers Pub.
The goal of the event is to preserve and celebrate the area’s Swiss cultural heritage and share traditions with people from across south-central Wisconsin, Beth Zurbuchen, the president of the Swiss Center of North America, said.
It also serves as a boost for local businesses during the winter season, she added.
“It brings business to our restaurants and to our retail shops downtown, and it brings smiles to people,” Zurbuchen said. “We are proud to live in a Swiss community, and any time we can celebrate that is a good time.”
New Glarus’ celebration of Silvesterchlausen is the first to be held outside of Switzerland, event organizers said.
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