NEW GLARUS - Visitors to New Glarus this weekend will be transported back in time at the 72nd annual performance of the Wilhelm Tell Pageant Labor Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6.
Visitors to New Glarus can take in the village's Swiss heritage all weekend. They also can visit award-wining restaurants, unique shops and the Swiss Historical Village museum.
Local residents dressed in 13th century costumes, along with a collection of cattle, goats and horses, present playwright Friedrich Schiller's story of how Wilhelm Tell helped Switzerland achieve independence from Austria in 1291.
More than 200 local residents take part in the play. Most of the performers have taken part in the festival for several years.
There are three performances at the outdoor theater on County W east of New Glarus. Performances at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday are presented in English, and a 10 a.m. Saturday morning show is presented in German.
Traditional folklore entertainment by the Swiss Miss folk dancers and the New Glarus Bell Ringers precedes the presentation. The New Glarus Usherettes, wearing 13th century Swiss Canton costumes, entertain with folk dancing during the intermission.
Tickets for the performances are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
People can camp on the grounds from 5 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday for a cost of $15.
Other events complementing the Wilhelm Tell performances include:
• A Friday night "Laternenzug," a candlelit parade through town, with children and Tell cast members in costume.
• A concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the festival tent in the village's downtown.
• A yodel contest at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the festival tent.
• New Glarus Library annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the village hall.
• An ethnic fashion show at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the festival tent.
• An interfaith church service at 9:15 a.m. Sunday on the Wilhelm Tell festival grounds.
• An outdoor arts fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the village park.
For more information about the Wilhelm Tell Festival, or New Glarus, contact the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce at (800) 527-6838. Visit the New Glarus Web site: www.swisstown.com.
Visitors to New Glarus can take in the village's Swiss heritage all weekend. They also can visit award-wining restaurants, unique shops and the Swiss Historical Village museum.
Local residents dressed in 13th century costumes, along with a collection of cattle, goats and horses, present playwright Friedrich Schiller's story of how Wilhelm Tell helped Switzerland achieve independence from Austria in 1291.
More than 200 local residents take part in the play. Most of the performers have taken part in the festival for several years.
There are three performances at the outdoor theater on County W east of New Glarus. Performances at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday are presented in English, and a 10 a.m. Saturday morning show is presented in German.
Traditional folklore entertainment by the Swiss Miss folk dancers and the New Glarus Bell Ringers precedes the presentation. The New Glarus Usherettes, wearing 13th century Swiss Canton costumes, entertain with folk dancing during the intermission.
Tickets for the performances are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
People can camp on the grounds from 5 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday for a cost of $15.
Other events complementing the Wilhelm Tell performances include:
• A Friday night "Laternenzug," a candlelit parade through town, with children and Tell cast members in costume.
• A concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the festival tent in the village's downtown.
• A yodel contest at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the festival tent.
• New Glarus Library annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the village hall.
• An ethnic fashion show at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the festival tent.
• An interfaith church service at 9:15 a.m. Sunday on the Wilhelm Tell festival grounds.
• An outdoor arts fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the village park.
For more information about the Wilhelm Tell Festival, or New Glarus, contact the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce at (800) 527-6838. Visit the New Glarus Web site: www.swisstown.com.