"Fete de la DesAlpes"
and the cows that make this Swiss tradition
Traditional Alphorn
Swiss music with the accordion
"Fete de la DesAlpes"
This is a tradition that I had been waiting to see and experience since we arrived in Switzerland. We are so very grateful for the friends of ours here in Switzerland that were able to drive us to this day of the "Fete de la DesAlpes"! This particular "Fete" or festival is a day of celebration when the cows are brought down by the local farmers from higher mountain side pasture grounds. Earlier the same day as the festival, the farmers place on each cow a large leather collar (some of them colorfully embroidered) with a big bell around the cows neck. Some of the cows (such as the cow in the first picture) are given head dresses to wear as well. Then the farmers slowly walk their cows down off the higher mountain pasture grounds where they have been since the spring time.
In the early afternoon of the festival, there is a parade. The cows are the first to begin the pararde followed by the traditional Swiss Alphorn (picture above), accordion players (pictured above) and marching bands, etc.
There were plenty of food stands to choose from, bakery items to buy, home made candies and artist selling their crafts, all in all we had a fantastic fun filled day!
In the early afternoon of the festival, there is a parade. The cows are the first to begin the pararde followed by the traditional Swiss Alphorn (picture above), accordion players (pictured above) and marching bands, etc.
There were plenty of food stands to choose from, bakery items to buy, home made candies and artist selling their crafts, all in all we had a fantastic fun filled day!
