Schedule of Events

NEW FOR 2008! Family Farm Adventure at Cheese Days, Swiss Postauto Trolley, Kiddie Tractor Pull, Monroe Theatre Guild Photo Booth, artisan demonstrations by SmART Communities, Cheese Appetizer Contest, and "Merchant Street" with space for commercial vendors.

Click here for separate Stage Entertainment Schedule

ALL WEEKEND LONG…

TASTE OF GREEN COUNTY Eat your way around the square! “Holey” cheese sandwiches, pork and steak sandwiches, sausages, smoothies, tater chips, nachos, hand battered deep-fried cheese curds, cream puffs, ice cream, kettle korn, and more. (Friday noon – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm, Sunday 9 am – close)

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT Variety of entertainers and musical performances on the stage on the south side of the Courthouse Square, all weekend.

HOSPITALITY TENT AND STAGE Open all weekend with tables and chairs for you to enjoy your lunch or dinner. See the schedule of events at the tent or the Cheese Days information trailer for details on entertainment on the Hospitality Tent Stage.

CHEESE TENT Featuring cheese for sale, and samples of many varieties of locally produced cheese. (Friday 2 – 7 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 9 am – 6 pm)

RETAIL SOUVENIR TENT Cheese Days apparel, cheese cutting boards, commemorative steins, official Cheese Days buttons, and more (next to the stage). (Friday noon – 9 pm, Saturday 9 am – 9 pm, Sunday 9 am – close)

FAMILY FARM ADVENTURE AT GREEN COUNTY CHEESE DAYS Sponsored by Green County Farm Bureau. Blast open the doors to an ag-venture! Meet some real dairy calves, see how you measure up to cows and other farm animals, discover what a cow eats and drinks, test your knowledge of ag facts, have your picture taken on a giant state-of-the-art tractor, grab a pedal tractor for a trip around the tent, and walk away with some goodies. Northwest corner of the Courthouse Square. (Friday 2 – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 10 am – 12:30 pm, and again after parade until 5 pm)

U.S. POSTAL CANCELLATION AND COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SALE One cancellation for Friday, September 19 and another for Saturday, September 20. (Available at RETAIL TENT)

CARNIVAL 1 block south of the square. (Friday 6 – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 10 pm, Sunday 10 am – close)

BERGHOFF AND BLUES Blues festival held on the grounds of the Minhas Craft Brewery, two blocks southwest of Courthouse Square (see map). (Friday evening, Saturday noon – close)

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR Artisans and craftspeople offering original works for sale. Monroe Middle School grounds south of the Courthouse Square (see map for location). Free admission to anyone wearing a 2008 Cheese Days button, otherwise $2. Under 10 free. (Saturday 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday 9 am – 1 pm)

LEARN TO POLKA Experts teach the art of this “heel and toe and away we go” dance step. Accompanied by accordion music, of course! (see Stage Entertainment schedule)

SWISS POSTAUTO BUS TROLLEY Saturday 10 am – 6 pm: continuous loops with stops near downtown Parking Ramp, Minhas Craft Brewery, Arts and Crafts Show, and Turner Hall. Sunday 9 am – noon: continuous loops with stops near the downtown Parking Ramp, Arts and Crafts Show, and Turner Hall.

HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER Guides in Swiss costumes host tours in the restored depot which doubles as a shrine to the cheesemaking legacy of the area. Discover a treasure trove of cheesemaking and dairy farming equipment, memorabilia, and lore. Visit the Milk House Gift Shop. $2. 2108 – 6th Ave, at the intersection of Hwy. 69 south and 21st St. (this is a stop on the park and ride shuttle bus – see the map for shuttle stop locations) (Friday through Sunday 9 am – 4 pm)

MONROE ARTS CENTER Featuring special gallery exhibits including “Monroe Re-Photography” by Dennis Dalton – offering a then and now perspective of the buildings and sights in Monroe, and “History of Cheese Days” showcasing archival photos as well as collector’s memorabilia dating back to the early days of the festival. Two blocks west of the Square under the church steeple. (Friday through Sunday 9 am – 4 pm)

MINHAS CRAFT BREWERY “Oldest in the Midwest” with brewing tradition since 1845. Enjoy samples of beers, iEnergy Energy Drink, and Blumer’s old fashioned sodas in the Lazy Mutt Lounge. $10 admission includes beer and other products ($15 value). Two blocks from the Courthouse Square. (Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 10 am - noon, on the hour)

GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Located in a former church built during the Civil War and featuring local history, and a one-room country schoolhouse. $2 adults, $1 for kids 12 – 18, under 12 free. One block north of the Courthouse Square. (Friday noon – 6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 9 am – 1 pm)

PHOTO BOOTH Commemorate your visit to Cheese Days with a photo opportunity! Picture your friends or family in Swiss attire romping in the Alps, or as dairy cows grazing in the pasture. For a small fee – use your camera or have a photo taken by us. Sponsored by Monroe Theatre Guild. 910 – 16th Ave. Across from library. (Friday 4 – 7, Saturday 9 am – 6 pm, Sunday 10 am – noon)

SWISS ROOTS TENT- How Swiss Are You? Learn more about Swiss culture, discover your own personal Swiss heritage, and find out about famous people and famous products with Swiss Roots. Use a computer in the tent to log on to swissroots.org to enter the sweepstakes.

DAILY SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19 (ALSO SEE ABOVE – FOR ACTIVITIES ALL WEEKEND)

• STAGE ENTERTAINMENT - starts at 12:30 pm
• SWISS COOKING from Turner Hall with Kurt Kline and Gert Waelchli – on the stage (12:30 pm)
• POLKA LESSONS AT THE STAGE (2:30 pm)
• OPENING CEREMONY – marking the official opening of the 2006 Green County Cheese Days – with a parade of Swiss bells and flags, ceremonial blowing of the Alphorns, and entertainment by the Monroe Swiss Singers (5 pm)
• CHILDREN’S COSTUME PARADE – around the square – featuring the Cheese Days Prince and Princess, the Monroe Middle School Band, and lots of fun surprises! (5:30 pm)
• CHEESE APPETIZER RECIPE CONTEST – finals in the Hospitality Tent (6:30 pm)
• STREET DANCE – on the Courthouse Square with music by the Mike Austin Band (9 – 11:30 pm)
• SWISS ROOTS AND ROYALTY BALL – don’t miss this gala event hosted by Swiss Roots at Turner Hall! Coronation of Cheese Days Kinq and Queen Gary and Corie Grossen, introduction of dignitaries and honored guests at 9 pm. Cheese tasting extravaganza, special surprises and activities throughout the weekend, plus drawing for 2-round trip airline tickets to Switzerland. Musical entertainment by the Zweifel Brothers Band. Everyone is invited! $6. (8 pm – midnight)
  

SATURDAY, SETPEMBER 20 (ALSO SEE ABOVE – FOR ACTIVITIES ALL WEEKEND)

• CHEESE DAYS CHASE – accurate times with time chip technology! 5 and 10 k run and 2 mile fun walk – awards to top 3 in each of 7 divisions and commemorative t-shirts to all participants. $20 advance registration, $25 day of race. (Check-in 7:45 am, race at 9 am)
• GOLF OUTING – open to the public at the Monroe Country Club. All golfers eligible for raffle prizes – golfers must register through the Cheese Days office by September 12. Fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart rental. Tee times between 8 am – noon.
• VINTAGE CAR AND TRACTOR DISPLAY – courtesy of Yesteryear Car Club, Antique Wheelers, and Monroe Antique Tractor Club (9 am – 5 pm)
• Green County SmART Communities Booth – enjoy demonstrations in a variety of artistic forms. Ask questions and get hands-on experience. Discover our local arts and learn more about the SmART Communities project. At the Arts and Crafts Fair (9 am – 6 pm)
• "HEART OF CHEESE DAYS" Exhibit and Sales - Experience the Old World culture that gave rise to Cheese Days! Swiss folk artisans in action, Swiss artifact and heritage displays, plus traditional Swiss treats and folk art items for sale - presented by the Monroe Swiss Singers at Turner Hall. FREE admission to anyone wearing a 2008 Cheese Days button. (10 am – 3 pm)
• KIDDIE PEDAL TRACTOR PULL – open to kids ages 3 – 10. No entry fee. Prizes for all participants. In front of Post Office. (11 am – noon)
• HOSPITALITY TENT STAGE - check the schedule at the tent for specific times beer and cheese sampling, cooking demos, author talks, free stuff, and special guests. (starting at 11 am)
• STAGE ENTERTAINMENT (starts at 11 am)
• OLD WORLD CHEESEMAKING DEMONSTRATION – watch as veteran cheesemakers create a 200-pound wheel of Swiss cheese in an antique copper kettle. Narrated presentation led by John Bussman. (noon – 4 pm)
• COW MILKING CONTEST – fun for all ages. Cheese Days royalty, local celebrities, and teams from the area compete for prizes. Open to the public. (1 pm)
• POLKA LESSONS AT THE STAGE (1:30 pm)
• KIDDIE PEDAL TRACTOR PULL – open to kids ages 3 – 10. No entry fee. Prizes for all participants. In front of Post Office. (4 – 5 pm)
• POLKA LESSONS AT THE STAGE (4:45 pm)
• CHEESEMAKER’S BALL – at Turner Hall with old time music by the Greg Anderson Band. Award presentation at 9 pm to the champion cheesemakers and samples of prize-winning cheese from the Cheesemaking Competition. Open to the public - $6 (8 pm – midnight)
• STREET DANCE – on the Courthouse Square with the Copper Box Band (8:30 – 11:30 pm)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 (ALSO SEE ABOVE – FOR ACTIVITIES ALL WEEKEND)

• STAGE ENTERTAINMENT (before and after the parade)
• THE SWISS COLONY CHEESE DAYS PARADE – giant parade honoring Swiss heritage, the dairy and cheese industry, and entertainment for everyone. (parade steps off from the Green County Fairgrounds at 12:30 pm)