MONROE - John and Becky Wegmueller of Monroe have been leading Brown Swiss cows in the Swiss Colony Cheese Days Parade since 1990. This year, parade spectators will see the Wegmuellers twice - once while walking with the cows, and a second time in a fancy horse-drawn carriage as they fulfill their royal duties as King and Queen of the 2012 Green County Cheese Days festival.
As long-time dairy farmers and agricultural advocates, the Wegmuellers said they are delighted to be part of an event that serves as a boost for the Green County area and the dairy industry.
John was raised on a fourth-generation family dairy farm just outside of Monroe. The property was originally acquired from a sheriff's sale in the 1930s, and John and Becky bought the farm from his parents Ernest and Ruth Wegmueller in 1991.
Becky grew up in Wauwatosa. She is fluent in German, having lived, worked and studied in southern Germany for two years. Prior to meeting John, her main connection to the dairy industry was through her grandfather, a Swedish immigrant who made butter in Minnesota.
John grew up immersed in Swiss culture and heritage. His grandparents, John and Frida, were both born in Switzerland, and met as a hired hand and hired girl employed on the same farm. "Grandpa John" came to the United States to work, and after two years, he had raised the $500 necessary for Frida's passage.
John's father spoke fluent Swiss, and he recalls learning all about cussing in a Swiss-German dialect by listening to his dad in the barn, and learning all about Swiss music by listening to Martha Bernet's radio show.
"My ears perked up whenever I heard the schwyzeroergeli music," said John, who recalls begging his dad to buy him one of the small accordions. "He teased me that first I would have to learn how to pronounce the word schwyzeroergeli. But when I learned to say it he still wouldn't buy me one - he said it was too expensive and would be too hard to learn."
John bought his own schwyzeroergeli at age 50 and taught himself how to play it, for many years performing with Burnett Kubly, who has since passed away. He also plays the alphorn.
A number of years ago, John and several alphorn players went into Baumgartner's during Cheese Days and played on the tiny stage in the back corner - it was so crowded they had to prop the alphorns up on a table.
John's involvement with the Cheese Days Festival dates back to marching in the parade with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville band in the mid-1960s. He helped get the original cow milking contest started, at first held right on the Courthouse lawn.
For the past 10 festivals, he has coordinated the efforts of area farmers who transport their best-behaved bovines to play starring roles in the parade, in honor of the Swiss tradition of "Alpabzug," when the farmers bring their herds of cattle down from the Alpine mountain pastures at the end of the summer grazing season.
"When the cows leave the fairgrounds, there's a bit of coaxing required to get them moving," said John, "but when they get to the Square, I swear they realize they're the center of attention and they really perk up. Once they hit the corner by Stop-n-Go, the pace picks up and they seem to be in a big hurry to get back home."
The Wegmuellers have been involved in various agricultural organizations through the years, hosted the Green County Breakfast On the Farm in 1990 and have often welcomed visitors to their farm. The couple has four children, Sarah, Daniel, David and Genia, and five grandchildren. Daniel, along with his wife Ashley, represents the fourth generation on their family farm. Continuing in the family tradition, Daniel has a herd of 120 Brown Swiss cows.
In addition to greeting guests at the festival, the Wegmuellers will also be performing, including performing with the Monroe Swiss Singers. John will also be on stage with the Yodel Club and the New Glarus Mannerchor. John and his grandson Sam Allard will perform together - John on schwyzeroergeli accompanied by Sam on rachett, and the pair together for an alphorn duet.
More information is available at www.cheesedays.com. Brochures are also available at area businesses, the Green County Courthouse and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. This year's festival is Sept. 14 to 16.
As long-time dairy farmers and agricultural advocates, the Wegmuellers said they are delighted to be part of an event that serves as a boost for the Green County area and the dairy industry.
John was raised on a fourth-generation family dairy farm just outside of Monroe. The property was originally acquired from a sheriff's sale in the 1930s, and John and Becky bought the farm from his parents Ernest and Ruth Wegmueller in 1991.
Becky grew up in Wauwatosa. She is fluent in German, having lived, worked and studied in southern Germany for two years. Prior to meeting John, her main connection to the dairy industry was through her grandfather, a Swedish immigrant who made butter in Minnesota.
John grew up immersed in Swiss culture and heritage. His grandparents, John and Frida, were both born in Switzerland, and met as a hired hand and hired girl employed on the same farm. "Grandpa John" came to the United States to work, and after two years, he had raised the $500 necessary for Frida's passage.
John's father spoke fluent Swiss, and he recalls learning all about cussing in a Swiss-German dialect by listening to his dad in the barn, and learning all about Swiss music by listening to Martha Bernet's radio show.
"My ears perked up whenever I heard the schwyzeroergeli music," said John, who recalls begging his dad to buy him one of the small accordions. "He teased me that first I would have to learn how to pronounce the word schwyzeroergeli. But when I learned to say it he still wouldn't buy me one - he said it was too expensive and would be too hard to learn."
John bought his own schwyzeroergeli at age 50 and taught himself how to play it, for many years performing with Burnett Kubly, who has since passed away. He also plays the alphorn.
A number of years ago, John and several alphorn players went into Baumgartner's during Cheese Days and played on the tiny stage in the back corner - it was so crowded they had to prop the alphorns up on a table.
John's involvement with the Cheese Days Festival dates back to marching in the parade with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville band in the mid-1960s. He helped get the original cow milking contest started, at first held right on the Courthouse lawn.
For the past 10 festivals, he has coordinated the efforts of area farmers who transport their best-behaved bovines to play starring roles in the parade, in honor of the Swiss tradition of "Alpabzug," when the farmers bring their herds of cattle down from the Alpine mountain pastures at the end of the summer grazing season.
"When the cows leave the fairgrounds, there's a bit of coaxing required to get them moving," said John, "but when they get to the Square, I swear they realize they're the center of attention and they really perk up. Once they hit the corner by Stop-n-Go, the pace picks up and they seem to be in a big hurry to get back home."
The Wegmuellers have been involved in various agricultural organizations through the years, hosted the Green County Breakfast On the Farm in 1990 and have often welcomed visitors to their farm. The couple has four children, Sarah, Daniel, David and Genia, and five grandchildren. Daniel, along with his wife Ashley, represents the fourth generation on their family farm. Continuing in the family tradition, Daniel has a herd of 120 Brown Swiss cows.
In addition to greeting guests at the festival, the Wegmuellers will also be performing, including performing with the Monroe Swiss Singers. John will also be on stage with the Yodel Club and the New Glarus Mannerchor. John and his grandson Sam Allard will perform together - John on schwyzeroergeli accompanied by Sam on rachett, and the pair together for an alphorn duet.
More information is available at www.cheesedays.com. Brochures are also available at area businesses, the Green County Courthouse and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. This year's festival is Sept. 14 to 16.