NEW GLARUS - Just as traditions are handed down in New Glarus, so are the outfits.
The Wilhelm Tell Pageant held Friday to Monday in New Glarus started in 1938.
The weekend-long event began a tradition that has lasted more than 70 years. Not only do some of the same members of the cast return each year, but many of the costumes and authentic dresses do too.
Visitors to New Glarus got a little background on ethnic dress at the fashion show Sunday under the fest tent. Not only was Swiss apparel for festivals modeled, but so were traditional outfits worn by other immigrants to the area, such as Germany, Norway and Scotland.
The fashion show began in 1997 during the 16th anniversary of the Wilhelm Tell Fest.
Linda Schiesser, New Glarus, was busy Sunday pinning a large silver brooch to Jessica Schieldt's usherette dress just before the show.
"I last wore this dress in 1962," she said.
The dress is from the Canton of Bern. Its blue bodice is embroidered and adorned with silver pins and several silver chains fastened at the front and back. Schieldt also wore a straw hat decorated with flowers and tied under the chin.
The chains are passed down from one generation to the next, and are often a symbol of wealth and marriage, Schiesser said. Chains are given as gifts for weddings, confirmation and births. Chains from Glarus are sometimes pewter, because its less expensive.
Usherettes wear the traditional costumes from the Swiss cantons, all of which are different, and perform dances during the intermission. More than 20 young women performed. This was Schieldt's third year.
Linda Schiesser, who is "100 percent Swiss," has been with the pageant since she was four years old, said her mother Edna Schiesser.
"She played one of the wedding dancers, then she got too tall and became an usherette," Edna said.
Linda has been an usherette for seven years.
This year, she wore an outfit from the Glarner canton, which her mother used to wear. Edna wore a Glarner cashmere shawl with fringe she hand-tied herself.
Edna made repairs to the custom-made dresses for many years.
"Every winter I took home three or four that needed repairs," she said.
While adult outfits are made from more delicate materials, dresses for younger girls are made from washable materials, but are still adorned with embroidery and chains.
All the Swiss outfits are remakes of the originals from Swiss cantons and were designed for the Wilhelm Tell Guild.
The Wilhelm Tell Pageant held Friday to Monday in New Glarus started in 1938.
The weekend-long event began a tradition that has lasted more than 70 years. Not only do some of the same members of the cast return each year, but many of the costumes and authentic dresses do too.
Visitors to New Glarus got a little background on ethnic dress at the fashion show Sunday under the fest tent. Not only was Swiss apparel for festivals modeled, but so were traditional outfits worn by other immigrants to the area, such as Germany, Norway and Scotland.
The fashion show began in 1997 during the 16th anniversary of the Wilhelm Tell Fest.
Linda Schiesser, New Glarus, was busy Sunday pinning a large silver brooch to Jessica Schieldt's usherette dress just before the show.
"I last wore this dress in 1962," she said.
The dress is from the Canton of Bern. Its blue bodice is embroidered and adorned with silver pins and several silver chains fastened at the front and back. Schieldt also wore a straw hat decorated with flowers and tied under the chin.
The chains are passed down from one generation to the next, and are often a symbol of wealth and marriage, Schiesser said. Chains are given as gifts for weddings, confirmation and births. Chains from Glarus are sometimes pewter, because its less expensive.
Usherettes wear the traditional costumes from the Swiss cantons, all of which are different, and perform dances during the intermission. More than 20 young women performed. This was Schieldt's third year.
Linda Schiesser, who is "100 percent Swiss," has been with the pageant since she was four years old, said her mother Edna Schiesser.
"She played one of the wedding dancers, then she got too tall and became an usherette," Edna said.
Linda has been an usherette for seven years.
This year, she wore an outfit from the Glarner canton, which her mother used to wear. Edna wore a Glarner cashmere shawl with fringe she hand-tied herself.
Edna made repairs to the custom-made dresses for many years.
"Every winter I took home three or four that needed repairs," she said.
While adult outfits are made from more delicate materials, dresses for younger girls are made from washable materials, but are still adorned with embroidery and chains.
All the Swiss outfits are remakes of the originals from Swiss cantons and were designed for the Wilhelm Tell Guild.