Description
The annual Wilhelm Tell Festival, a celebration of Swiss freedom held annually during Labor Day weekend in "America's Little Switzerland" in Green County, roughly 40 miles south of Madison.

Highlights (i.e. best things to do, memorable moments, etc.)
The annual Wilhelm Tell Festival held in New Glarus is comprised of many events. The weekend starts out with the Laternenzug (lantern parade) on Friday evening. A yodeling contest, Alpine Festival and Swiss Camping are events held on Saturday. The Art Fair, Ethnic Fashion Show and Street Dance are scheduled through out Sunday.

The big show, of course, is the presentation of the drama in which Tell is forced to shoot an apple from his son's head at a full one hundred paces, an event that lore has it opened the way for Switzerland to break free of Austria. That play, held on the Tell grounds just west of the village, is presented in English at 1 on Saturday and in German at 1 on Sunday. It's all done outside, complete with live horses and cows, and with local New Glarners playing the parts.

Quick tips/suggestions
Do: Consider brining a blanket and picnic when watching the play. There is a lot of space on the side and behind all the chairs set up. This is also nice if it is a very sunny day and you are too hot, you find a shady spot.
Don't: Feel intimidated if you are not Swiss. We were told several times over the course of the weekend that you will become Swiss once you are in New Glarus.
Do: Plan on becoming friendly with the New Glarners. You will see the same people over and over leading each event. By the end of the weekend, you feel like you know them all.
Do: Partake in as many activities as possible to enjoy the full experience of the weekend. When we heard that the Alpine Festival was held in a school auditorium we wondered what to expect and had second thought of attending. We are glad we did because we got to see some true talent and understand the spirit of this tight-knit community.

Best Way to get around
This is a small town in south-western Wisconsin. Unless you bike into town, the only way to get there is with your car. It is a good distance from the center of town up to the Tell Grounds where the play is held and also to the High School where the Alpine Festival is held, but it will only take a few minutes by car.