MONROE — After several stops and starts, and letting the wedges and wheels age a bit, Cheese Days is back on the calendar for the third weekend of September in 2022.
An official Kick Off for the 2022 festival was held on Nov. 15, 2021, with dignitaries, board members, committee chairs and special guests invited for a social and program at the Historic Green County Courthouse. The evening began with a social hour featuring cheese pairings and Limburger sliders, plus bratzeli cookies fresh from the irons. Attendees also enjoyed entertainment by D’Schwiizer Gruppe from New Glarus.
The word “unprecedented” has been used quite a bit in reference to the pandemic, and Cheese Days embraced that theme with some announcements made at the Kick Off event.
Serving as King and Queen for 2022 will be Gordy and Ruth Bergemann. If their names sound familiar, it’s because the Bergemans were king and queen in 2018. Gordy and Ruth had already passed their royal status on to Ed and Mandy Pas at the 2020 Kick Off, but with several years passing and circumstances changing, Ed and Mandy will join the much-honored ranks of former King and Queen. Cheese Days would thanks both couples for their service, and their willingness to embrace the unprecedented circumstances.
Gordy and Ruth treasured their involvement with the 2018 festival, and look forward to again representing Cheese Days.
“As King and Queen for 2022, Ruth and I want to help make it the most enjoyable and memorable event for all who attend,” said Gordy.
“We hope that the pandemic that derailed the 2020 festivities will be in the rearview mirror, and that 2022 will be the biggest and best Cheese Days ever,” said Ruth.
Those who follow Cheese Days history will recall that ambassadors used to be called queens, and on occasion a pair of young ladies were chosen to serve as “co-queens” at the festival. Molly Minder, who was slated as 2020 ambassador, will be joined next year by 2018 ambassador Tess Zettle to assist with promotion of the 2022 festival. Molly was a college student when she was originally selected as ambassador, and has now joined the working world. Tess is now a member of the Cheese Days Board of Directors. Tess graciously agreed to share the ambassador role to assist with promotions when Molly is not available. Cheese Days thanks both Molly and Tess for their flexibility and service.
Cheese Days is very pleased to announce that Donna Douglas, who was selected as parade marshal for 2020, will be returning in that role for 2022. Look for Donna’s good friend Wedgie (Cheese Days mascot), to be joining her on a very special float in The Swiss Colony Cheese Days Parade in 2022.
Also included in the Kick Off program was unveiling of the 2022 button logo design. The 2020 design’s “the yodeler” now has a female companion. Cheese Days fans who missed the chance to get the button from “the festival that didn’t happen” in 2020 will want to make sure both designs are in their button collections.
The Cheese Days store will also be open for special holiday shopping hours on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 4-7 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Apparel from previous festivals will be on sale with deep discounts, and new 2022 button logo t-shirts will be available for holiday gift giving. Call 608.325.7771 to set up a different time to stop in after the sale dates.
