– Photos and video by Elizabeth Bainbridge and Bobbie Bernet

Harvest Fest is one of those days when the Swiss Historical Village & Museum seems to come fully alive. Under warm sunshine and a bright fall sky, visitors moved from building to building while the sounds of music, conversation, children laughing and demonstrations at work carried across the grounds. Families turned out in especially strong numbers this year, with children stopping to watch, ask questions and try to understand how everyday work was once done in New Glarus and across Green County.

Nearly everywhere you looked, someone was making, shaping, cooking, carving, weaving or explaining something. Blacksmithing, cheesemaking, rope making, spinning, carving, beekeeping, scherenschnitte, corn shelling and other traditional skills were demonstrated throughout the Village, turning the museum’s collection into something more than a display of the past. The music added another layer to the day, with alphorns, the Männerchor and Jodlerklub, the Damian Babler Trio and Kinderchor helping give Harvest Fest its distinctly New Glarus character.

The day also reflected the enormous volunteer effort behind the event. Demonstrators, musicians, museum supporters and volunteers were seemingly everywhere, answering questions, preparing food, helping families and making sure the day moved along smoothly. Bratwurst, grilled cheese sandwiches and baked goods gave visitors another reason to linger, visit with neighbors and enjoy an unusually beautiful October afternoon.