MONROE — Green County Cheese Days is currently accepting applications for The Swiss Colony Cheese Days Parade, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. Applications are due July 1.
Parade applications are available for download from cheesedays.com. Note that there are different applications for each of the three parade categories:
1. Float-Unit
For businesses, youth groups, schools, clubs, antique tractors, business mascots, etc. There is a $25 entry fee for this category. The Float-Unit category is limited to businesses, groups, or organizations located in Green County. Exceptions may be made for those beyond county borders with statewide or regional affiliations to the cheese/dairy industry or Swiss heritage. All floats and units (except tractors and business mascots) are required to reflect one of the parade themes: cheese, dairy farming industry, or Swiss heritage. Applications not specifying details (on how the theme will be incorporated) will be rejected. On parade day, entries not following through on their specified theme details may be removed from parade line-up at the discretion of the committee. For the complete set of guidelines, refer to www.cheesedays.com > parades.
2. Entertainers
Music, bands, dancers, clowns, drill teams, horse/carriage units, jugglers, stilt walkers, etc. Entertainers are asked to either provide their own sponsor to cover costs, or to indicate a fee if they are requesting payment. Budgetary limitations may impact acceptance into the parade.
3. Dignitaries
Dairy queens, veteran groups, royalty, special visitors, mayor, county board chair, etc. No fee is charged for dignitaries.
Prizes will again be awarded for the following categories: Best Decorated Float or Unit, and Best Use of Theme. Parade viewers will also be invited to nominate their favorites for the People’s Choice Award. Top winners in each category receive $100. Runners up may also be selected at the discretion of judges.
Cheese Days needs convertibles (antique or newer): If interested in driving a dignitary in the parade, contact cheesedaysparade@gmail.com or 608.325.7771.
New this year
Although the parade does not have an “antique car” category, parade chairs are looking for vehicles to represent each decade since the festival began in 1914. However, Cheese Days is looking only for vehicles from the years within those decades that the festival actually took place. For example, one vehicle will be needed for one of these years from the first decade of the festival: 1914, 1915, 1916, or 1917. For the 1920’s, the festival needs a car from 1923 or 1928. The next festivals were only in 1935 and 1940. The 1950’s could be represented by a vehicle from either 1950 or 1955, and the 1960’s could be represented by a vehicle from either 1965 or 1967. Beginning in 1970, the festival was held every even year, so parade chairs will look for one even-year vehicle from each decade from the 1970’s through today.
Those with a vehicle that fits into one of these categories and would be willing to drive it in the parade can reach out to the Cheese Days office with contact information. Cheese Days will need the make/model and year of the vehicle. Call 608.325.7771
or email cheesedaysparade@gmail.com. If emailing, also send along a photo of the vehicle. If calling, the Cheese Days office will be back in touch to get a photo if the vehicle is being considered. If the vehicle is selected, it will be decorated with an enlarged “button” from the festival year it represents.
