Alpenfest facts for kids
The Alpenfest is a fun yearly festival held in Gaylord, Michigan. For more than 50 years, this festival has been a special tradition for people living in Gaylord and for visitors too. It usually happens in the third week of July.
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The Story of Alpenfest
In the early 1960s, the town of Gaylord, Michigan, decided to change its look. They wanted to make the town seem more like an Alpine village, similar to places in the mountains of Switzerland. This idea became more popular when a company called U.S. Plywood decided to build a factory in Gaylord.
This factory would make "particle board," a type of wood product. The way to make this board was invented by a Swiss person named Fred Fahrni. The new factory brought many jobs to the area. It also created a big demand for local aspen and pine trees.
The first festival was called The Alpine Festival. It started on July 5, 1965, and lasted until July 10. People in Gaylord got ready by sewing their own traditional clothes. Women made dirndls, and men made alpine vests. Over time, the festival's name was shortened to Alpenfest. Today, it is still one of Gaylord's biggest and most exciting events every summer.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alpenfest in 2020 had to be canceled. So, the 56th festival was moved to 2021 instead.
Fun Activities at Alpenfest
The Alpenfest is packed with many exciting things to do for everyone! You can find amazing arts and crafts on display and for sale. There are also lively parades, fun concerts, and exciting stage shows to watch. And don't forget the tasty traditional foods!
Kids will love the special games just for them. There are also amusement rides and other family entertainment. One very special event happens right after the festival officially opens. It's called the Burning of the Böögg.
The Burning of the Böögg
The Burning of the Böögg is a special ceremony. A wooden snowman, filled with cotton wool, is used. This snowman represents all the worries and troubles of the people in Gaylord. When the Böögg is lit on fire, it's like all those worries go up in smoke. This means everyone is free to celebrate Alpenfest with a happy heart!
Other fun events at Alpenfest include:
- Making special lanterns called lampions.
- A yodeling contest, where people sing in a unique mountain style.
- A swiss stone spitting contest, which is a funny challenge.
- The walking parade, where everyone can join in.
- Die Groeste Kaffepause, which means "The World's Largest Coffee Break."
- A ladies' ankle contest and a men's knee contest, which are lighthearted competitions.
There are many more activities to enjoy throughout the festival!
Alpenfest Queen's Pageant
Every year, young women from 16 to 22 years old compete to become the Alpenfest Queen. Judges watch the candidates throughout the festival week. At the Queen's Pageant, the contestants introduce themselves and show a special talent. They also wear evening gowns and answer a question without knowing it beforehand.
The young woman chosen as Alpenfest Queen, along with her court (other finalists), travels around Michigan. For the next year, they help promote the Alpenfest and the town of Gaylord.
The Böögg Tradition Explained
The tradition of burning the Böögg comes from Zürich, Switzerland. In Zurich, they make a snowman out of wood and fill its head with fireworks. They light this snowman on fire in April. People in Zurich believe that the faster the snowman's head explodes, the warmer and better the summer will be. In Zurich, burning the Böögg marks the change from winter to spring.
Gaylord adopted this tradition from Switzerland, but they changed its meaning to fit their town better. In Gaylord, their snowmen are made of cotton wool. Instead of marking the seasons, people write their worries and problems on paper. They then place these papers inside the snowman. After that, they light the snowman on fire. The idea is that all worries and problems will disappear as the snowman burns away.
Other Fun Places in Gaylord
Gaylord has other interesting places to visit besides Alpenfest. One popular spot is Elk Park. At Elk Park, visitors can watch deer and elk in their natural homes. You can even feed them there!
