CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Now in its 32nd year, Santa Clara’s annual Swiss Days festival is a hometown celebration filled with history and fun for the whole family. This year’s event is set for Sept. 22-24 and features a packed schedule of activities you won’t want to miss.
“We’re looking forward to another great Swiss Days this year and invite you to join us for this special celebration where history and family fun come together,” event coordinator Lainee Frei said.
The festival kicks off Thursday evening with a community dinner and live entertainment from the Lawn Darts starting at 5 p.m. For $6 a plate, attendees can choose between a hamburger or a hotdog plus baked beans, salad, chips and dessert. The opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. and will feature traditional Swiss dancing, the braiding of the maypole and appearances from Santa Clara’s city royalty.
Town hall is the place to be on Friday and Saturday. Activities include merchandise and food vendors, continuous entertainment under the big tent, inflatable attractions, a shooting contest, a pancake breakfast, a puppet show, bingo and more. The Santa Clara History Museum will be also open.
Hands-on pioneer activities for kids will be offered at Heritage Square from 3-5 p.m. on Friday. Southern Utah native and crowd favorite Eric Dodge will headline the free concert at town hall at 7 p.m.
New this year are booths showcasing the founding families of Santa Clara. The booths will be staffed by volunteers well-versed in the area’s history and genealogy who can help festivalgoers trace their roots to see if they have any pioneers in their family tree.
The 5K on Saturday morning is fun for all ages, and strollers are welcome. The race route begins at town hall and loops around historic downtown Santa Clara before finishing on Vineyard Drive. Prizes will be awarded to the male and female winners in the open and master’s divisions as well as the top three finishers in each age bracket. Participants can register online for $18 (through Sept. 10, then the price increases to $28) until Sept. 19 or in person at town hall until Sept. 23.
From the Jacob Hamblin Home to town hall, thousands of smiling faces – and the unique, ever-popular Swiss Days cows – will line Santa Clara Drive at 9:30 a.m. for a jam-packed parade that pays homage to Santa Clara’s history and enduring small-town charm.
“A lot of people come for the parade and stay for the activities,” Frei said, adding that Swiss Days usually welcomes some 10,000 attendees over the course of the three-day event.
After the parade, see classic and custom vehicles from around the region during the Red Rocks Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Canyon View Park. Parking is at a premium in downtown Santa Clara, so the city will provide a complimentary shuttle to take festivalgoers from Snow Canyon High School to the park as well as the events hub at town hall.
Santa Clara celebrated the inaugural Swiss Days in 1990 as a tribute to the town’s heritage. Swiss pioneers, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first settled in Santa Clara in 1861. They cultivated the land, and it became the fruit and vegetable garden for all of Washington County.
“The event has grown as the town has grown,” event coordinator Brooke Ence said. “Even though it’s celebrating our pioneer heritage, you don’t have to be from Santa Clara to be a part of it. It’s really a celebration for the community.”
See a full schedule of events on the Santa Clara city website.
Event details
- What: Santa Clara Swiss Days.
- When: Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 22-24, all day.
- Where: Santa Clara Town Hall, 2603 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara.
- Tickets: Free.
- Resources: Website.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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