MONROE — On Friday, August 1, Turner Hall of Monroe will join Switzerland in commemorating the founding of the Swiss Confederation 734 years ago in 1291. In early August of that year, representatives of the Swiss alpine cantons (states) of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden came together and pledged an oath of allegiance to the confederation in the now famous Rütli Meadow above Lake Lucerne. August 1, 1891 marked the first celebration of the founding of the Swiss Confederacy, and has been observed annually on that date since 1899.
Scheduled to be held in the Grand Hall, Turner Hall’s Swiss National Day observance will feature a buffet dinner of authentic Swiss fare and music. Starting at 5:30 p.m. with a social time featuring a raclette station (melted raclette cheese over potatoes) and music by seasoned accordionist, John Waelti, the buffet dinner will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a short program at 7 p.m. by the Monroe Swiss Singers, including alphorns and Swiss flag-throwing.
The menu includes Turner Hall’s garden-fresh salad bar, dinner rolls, French onion soup, Kalberwurst, alpine macaroni, Swiss green beans, and coffee or iced tea. The cost per person is $25, which includes the buffet, tax, tip, and authentic Swiss entertainment. To add to the festive atmosphere, attendees are welcome to wear Swiss attire. The public is invited to the event.
Reservations are required by Saturday, July 26, and payment must be made at the time of reservation. Reservations can be made online at www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org/shs.html by following a link under the Swiss National Day Buffet heading, or in person at the Turner Hall Ratskeller on Friday or Saturday evening, July 19, 20, 25, or 26. Regretfully, reservations for this event cannot be made by phone.
Turner Hall of Monroe, a 501(c)(3) non-profit believed to be the only Turner Hall of Swiss origin left in the United States, is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. The Swiss National Day observance is part of Turner Hall’s 2025 Swiss Heritage Series.
