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PRE FESTIVAL: SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 - SNEAK PEEK FARM TOURS
Boarding begins 1 PM - by Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave. This tour will visit both farms, and will be led by Kris Winkler and Lynn Lokken. Drop off will be at Grace Lutheran Church at 4:45 PM. (There will likely be a few special guests on this tour, AND some fun surprises:) Click for Farm Tour Info
FRIDAY
A BIG THANK YOU to UPG Electrical for letting Cheese Days use their parking lot for the Park & Ride Shuttle Bus! We highly recommend parking at UPG and catching a free ride downtown.
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park off site at UPG Electrical (350 - 21st St.) & ride bus downtown. 5–10 pm
INFO TRAILER - SW Corner (near Baumgartner's) - maps, schedules, ask questions, lost and found. 9 am - 7:30 pm
FOOD STANDS – Eat your way around the Courthouse Square! (10 am–9 pm)
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) – Ivory the Goat wearing Edelweiss bell, wooden cheese box, custom pottery tankard, cookbook, cake pans, apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, stickers, magnets, goat milk soap, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, cheese earrings, Edelweiss bell ornaments. SW corner near Beer Tent. (9 am–8 pm)
BEER and WINE STAND – SW Corner – near INFO TRAILER. (10 am–midnight) ****Proceeds from sales at the Cheese Days Beer & Wine Stand go toward the costs of tents, porta potties, electricity, stage entertainment and more – thank you for your support.****
HOSPITALITY TENT (Zält zum Höckle) Sponsored by Colony Brands. NORTH SIDE. Dining area with tables & chairs. Musical entertainment throughout the weekend. Open all weekend.
BIG RADIO DINING TENT – NORTHWEST CORNER. Dining area with tables and chairs. Open all weekend.
NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER – Showcasing the history of cheese making. The past comes alive at the century-old Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory. 2018 6th Ave, at intersection of Hwy 69 south and 21st St. (10 am–3 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE (Grossi Bühni) – Yodeling, alphorns, polka bands, and more. Tonight’s street dance – band to be announced. (Live music today on the main stage from noon til midnight)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE - Keith Zweifel Band (Noon)
CHEESE TENT (Chäs Zält) Cheese for sale and meet the cheesemakers. EAST SIDE of Square. Presented by Foreign Type Cheesemakers Assn. Questions about the Cheese Tent? Call 608.325.2507. Vendors: Babcock Dairy, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (Noon–7:30 pm)
GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM (1 - 4 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – D’Schwiizer Gruppe (1:45 pm)
FAMILY FARM ADVENTURE TENT – Sponsored by Green County Farm Bureau, in partnership with 4–H, FFA & other ag groups. Check out a number of educational activities about agriculture! On NORTHEAST corner of Square by First National Bank. (2–8 pm)
FARM TOUR #1 (Click for tickets)
Boarding begins 2:15 PM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off is same location at 4:30 PM. Guided tour led by Kris - a Monroe native and active volunteer with many groups. Kris is a Master Gardener, a quilting enthusiast, and a member of the Monroe Swiss Singers. Guided tour at DeVoe Family Farm - with hosts Alan and Yvonne DeVoe, who have been farming since 1987. Their two daughters and son grew up on the farm, and now their grandchildren like to visit. You’ll meet dairy cows and calves, a donkey, goats, peacocks, and chickens. Farm crops include alfalfa, corrn, and soybeans.
Tickets available in advance at Cheese Days Store (cash, check, credit card) or online. Adults $10, ages 12 and under $5.
>>Note: tour involves climbing several steps to board a bus, standing, and walking on uneven ground. Please no strollers and no dogs. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at the farm.
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Youth entertainers, to be announced (2:30 pm)
FARM TOUR #2 (Click for tickets)
Boarding begins 2:30 PM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off is same location at 4:30 PM. Guided tour led by Lynn - a Monroe native and active volunteer with many groups. Lynn is a Master Gardener and a quilting enthusiast. She serves as a docent at the Green County Historical Society Museum and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. Guided tour at Wegmueller Farm - with hosts Dan and Ashley Wegmueller. This farm is home to cows and calves, pigs, chickens, and The Brumby - Dan’s herd of horses. Wegmueller Farm offers a variety of equine experiences and guided trail rides, along with a farm-stay vacation rental.
Tickets available in advance at Cheese Days Store (cash, check, credit card) or online. Adults $10, ages 12 and under $5.
>>Note: tour involves climbing several steps to board a bus, standing, and walking on uneven ground. Please no strollers and no dogs. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at the farm.
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE - The Decade: 80’s Rock (3 pm)
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" parking lot - south of the Courthouse Square. Tickets are $1.00 each, 11 for $10.00, 23 for $20.00. Rides range from 3 to 5 tickets. (4-8 pm)
CHILDREN’S COSTUME PARADE (Chinder Trachte Umzug) – Prince & Princess lead the parade (5 pm)
OPENING CEREMONY – MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Ceremonial blowing of Alphorns, anthems with the Monroe Swiss Singers, presentation of royalty and cheesemakers. (6 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT - The Mascot Theory (6:45 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Alphorn Entertainment (7 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Mariachi Sol de Madison (7:45 pm) Sponsored by V&V Supremo
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Bombargo! (9 pm - midnight)
SATURDAY
Photo opps and fun today with roving entertainers: Alphorn Blowers, Accordion Players, Barbershop quartets, Stilt Walkers, and Wedgie the Cheese Days Mascot, PLUS IVORY THE GOAT!
FARM TOUR #3 (Click for Tickets)
Boarding begins 8:30 AM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off is same location at 10:45 AM. Guided tour led by Lynn and Kris, Monroe natives, good friends, and active volunteers with many groups. Both are Master Gardeners and quilting enthusiasts. Lynn serves as a docent at the Green County Historical Society Museum and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. Kris is a member of the Monroe Swiss Singers. Guided tour at DeVoe Family Farm - with hosts Alan and Yvonne DeVoe, who have been farming since 1987. Their two daughters and son grew up on the farm, and now their grandchildren like to visit. You’ll meet dairy cows and calves, a donkey, goats, peacocks, and chickens. Farm crops include alfalfa, corrn, and soybeans.
Farm Tour Tickets - available in advance at Cheese Days Store (cash, check, credit card) or online. Adults $10, ages 12 and under $5.
>>Note: tour involves climbing several steps to board a bus, standing, walking on uneven ground. Please no strollers and no dogs. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at the farm.
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park offsite at UPG Electrical (350 - 21st St.) and ride the bus downtown. Other stops today include **Historic Cheese Center** and Green County Fairgrounds. (**Historic Cheese Center closes at 3 pm). (Shuttle runs 10 am–10 pm)
INFO TRAILER - SW Corner (near Baumgartner's) - maps, schedules, ask questions, lost and found. 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) – Ivory the Goat wearing Edelweiss bell, wooden cheese box, custom pottery tankard, cookbook, cake pans, apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, stickers, magnets, goat milk soap, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, cheese earrings, Edelweiss bell ornaments. SW corner near Beer Tent. (9 am–8 pm)
FOOD STANDS – Eat your way around the Courthouse Square! (9 am–9 pm)
BEER and WINE STAND – SW Corner – near INFO TRAILER. (10 am–midnight) ****Proceeds from sales at the Cheese Days Beer & Wine Stand go toward the costs of tents, porta potties, electricity, stage entertainment and more – thank you for your support.****
HOSPITALITY TENT (Zält zum Höckle) Sponsored by Colony Brands. NORTH SIDE. Dining area with tables & chairs. Musical entertainment throughout the weekend. Open all weekend.
BIG RADIO DINING TENT – NORTHWEST CORNER. Dining area with tables and chairs. Open all weekend.
CHEESE DAYS CHASE 2026 – Presented by Monroe Youth Hockey Assn. The Kid's Race sponsored by SSM Health will begin at 8:30 AM. The 5k/10k/2-Mile Fun Walk, sponsored by Odyssey by Klondike Cheese Company will begin at 9 AM. All participants receive a beverage and cheese sandwich following the race - at the Suisse Haus lot. CLICK for more info.
VINTAGE TRACTOR DISPLAY – Courtesy of Monroe area antique tractor owners. Take a step back in time and learn how farmers and their tractors played an important role in shaping the agricultural and cheese industry in Green County. You'll see various "colors" (brands) - meet the owners & talk about their favorite toys! On 17th Avenue between banks and also in Bank First parking lot (formerly First National Bank). (8 am–4 pm)
MAKER’S MARKET – Just west of the Square; right behind Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern. Shop the booths of creators, fiber artists, hobbyists, wood crafters, photographers, painters, etc, who personally design and make what they sell. (9 am–4 pm)
VENDOR MARKETPLACE – Booths in Library Parking Lot – Commercial vendors, merchandise for sale, businesses & groups promoting products & services. (9 am–6 pm)
18 & 8TH REST AREA and COOLING CENTER - Families with young children or anyone needing a spot to relax for awhile inside is welcome to stop in at 1802 8th Street (NE of downtown Square). Restrooms with baby changing stations available. Hosted by volunteers from Monroe Bible Church. (9 am - 6 pm)
CHEESE TENT (Chäs Zält) Cheese for sale and meet the cheesemakers. EAST SIDE of Square. Presented by Foreign Type Cheesemakers Assn. Questions about the Cheese Tent? Call 608.325.2507. Vendors: Babcock Dairy, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (9 am–7:30 pm)
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" south of the Courthouse Square (behind JoAnne’s Dress Shop) - all weekend. Tickets are $1.00 each, 11 for $10.00, 23 for $20.00. Rides range from 3 to 5 tickets. (9:30 AM - 10:30 PM)
NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER –Showcasing the history of cheese making. The past comes alive at the century-old Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory. 2018 6th Ave, at intersection of Hwy 69 south and 21st St. (10 am–3 pm) PARK AND RIDE SHUTTLE STOP TIL 3 PM (limited parking here - for visitors at the center or shuttle bus riders with accessibility challenges)
GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM (10 am - 4 pm)
FAMILY FARM ADVENTURE TENT – Sponsored by Green County Farm Bureau, in partnership with 4–H, FFA & other ag groups. Check out a number of educational activities about agriculture! On NORTHEAST corner of Square by First National Bank. (10 am–8 pm)
OLD WORLD CHEESEMAKING DEMONSTRATION (Die Alt Kaserei "the old cheese factory") Watch and learn as members of The Foreign Type Cheesemaker's Association create a 200-pound wheel of Swiss cheese the old fashioned way, in a giant copper kettle. Before arriving on the downtown Square, the milk truck will have stopped at Silver-Lewis Co-op, Monticello, to pick up the milk from the nearby Silver Farm. (The Silver & Lewis Cheese Factory Company was incorporated in 1897 - with land provided by the Lewis family and funding by the Silver Family. The dairy cooperative was formed in 1963, and now four generations later - the Silver family belongs to the cooperative.) When the truck arrives downtown to transfer the milk to the big copper kettle (around 10:30 AM), you'll meet Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers Jeff Wideman and Gary Grossen, who will explain the process and demonstrate the steps beginning with warming the milk and adding the culture. Later on, spectators will have the opportunity to take a turn stirring the kettle with the "Swiss harp" (great photo opp!) After the curd is “dipped” and the cheese is “hooped” the cheesemakers will “plug” a block of cheese and demonstrate the grading and judging process using the criteria of the World Championship Cheese Competition. Directly north of the Historic Courthouse. (10:30 AM–3 PM)
KIDS' STREET (Chinder Schpil Strass) Presented by Green County YMCA – by the Post Office. Fun stuff for kids – all free! (Click for Kid's Street Schedule)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Fried Curd Eating Contest - Presented by Monroe Optimist Club (11 AM)
KIDS’ STREET - Green County YMCA GEMS Gymnastics (11 - 11:30 am)
KIDS’ STREET - KT’s Party Faces and Antsy Pants Paints - face painting (11 am - 3 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Balloon Twisting (11 am - 4 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Interactive Art Project with Monroe Arts Center (11 am - 4 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Elite Tae Kwon Do (11:30 am)
KIDS’ STREET - Comedy Juggling Variety Show with Jason the Juggler (Noon)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE (Grossi Bühni) – Yodeling, alphorns, polka bands, & Swiss heritage music during the day. Tonight’s Street Dance – Boogie and the YoYoz! (Live music today from Noon–midnight)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Monroe City Band (Noon)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Meet the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair (12:10 PM)
HOSPITALITY TENT – David Austin Band (12:15 - 2 PM)
MOO SHUTTLE - The Cow (and Goat!) Milking Contest will be at the Green County Fairgrounds starting at 1 PM. Catch a ride on the Moo Shuttle - which will make loops back and forth from near the Post Office (18th Ave - one block east of downtown Square). The fairgrounds is about 1 mile east from downtown. Free shuttle runs from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM.
COW (and GOAT!) MILKING CONTEST - Watch as teams compete for udderly fabulous honors. Teams including festival royalty, dignitaries and major sponsors will be pre-formed in advance. Top contenders last time: Badger State Ethanol, Kuhn North America, and New Glarus Brewing Co. If time allows, spectators can meet & greet and get photos with the stars of the show - our very own cow and goat “dairy queens.” Contest location is Mayer Transport Barn #7 at Green County Fairgrounds. Parking is available in the area. OR - catch a free ride on the MOO SHUTTLE which will run back and forth from downtown (near post office) to the Green County Fairgrounds. Thank you to our area dairy farm families for bringing some members of their herds to meet and greet! (1 PM)
KIDS’ STREET - Live Characters - meet & mingle, photos (1 - 3 pm)
FARM TOUR #4 - (tickets available only at festival, starting Friday, Sept. 18 @ 10 AM)
Boarding begins 1 PM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off is same location at 3:15 PM. Guided tour led by Lynn - a Monroe native and active volunteer with many groups. Lynn is a Master Gardener and a quilting enthusiast. She serves as a docent at the Green County Historical Society Museum and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center. Guided tour at Wegmueller Farm - with hosts Dan and Ashley Wegmueller. This farm is home to cows and calves, pigs, chickens, and The Brumby - Dan’s herd of horses. Wegmueller Farm offers a variety of equine experiences and guided trail rides, along with a farm-stay vacation rental.
>>Note: tour involves climbing several steps to board a bus, standing, walking on uneven ground. Please no strollers and no dogs. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at the farm.
Farm Tour #4 Tickets - To give out of town guests a chance to get on the tours, tickets for Tour #4 will be sold ONLY during the festival. Half of the tickets available starting on Fri, Sept 18 starting at 10 AM, and remaining tickets available Sat, Sept 19 starting at 10 AM. Buy tickets (cash only) at INFO TRAILER west side of Square. OR - go to boarding area and find guide Lynn Lokken - who may be able to get you on the bus.
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE - 1884 (formerly Francois Family Band) (1:15 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Monroe Martial Arts and New Glarus Tae Kwon Do (1:15 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Big Bubble Blast! (1:30 - 2:30 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Edelweiss Revisited (2 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - New Glaurs Kinderchor (2 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Meet the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair (2:50 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Doo Wop Jukebox (3 pm)
Hospitality Tent - Studio M Dancers (3 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - 23 Dance Space (3 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Alphorns (3:15 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Ukelele Express (3:30 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Stilt Walker - starting on Kids’ Street and roving around downtown area (3:30 - 5:30 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Celebrity Meet & Greet - Ivory the Goat, Johnnie the Miniature Donkey, Wedgie the Cheese Days Mascot (3:30 - 5:30 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE - Youth entertainers - to be announced (4:30 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE - Biergarten Specials (5 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Wheelhouse (6:30 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Boogie and the YoYoz! (8:45 pm–midnight)
SUNDAY
[ NOTE: Schedule is tentative - subject to change. ]
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park offsite at UPG Electrical (350 - 21st St.) & ride the bus downtown. Shuttle also stops at Historic Cheese Center until 3 pm. (Shuttle runs 10 am–5 pm)
INFO TRAILER - SW Corner (near Baumgartner's) - maps, schedules, ask questions, lost and found. (9 am - 5 pm)
FOOD STANDS – Eat your way around the Courthouse Square! (9 am–6 pm)
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) – Ivory the Goat wearing Edelweiss bell, wooden cheese box, custom pottery tankard, cookbook, cake pans, apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, stickers, magnets, goat milk soap, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, cheese earrings, Edelweiss bell ornaments. SW corner near Beer Tent. (9 am–5:30 pm)
BEER and WINE STAND – SW Corner – near INFO TRAILER. (10 am–6 pm) ****Proceeds from sales at the Cheese Days Beer & Wine Stand go toward the costs of tents, porta potties, electricity, stage entertainment and more – thank you for your support.****
HOSPITALITY TENT (Zält zum Höckle) Sponsored by Colony Brands. NORTH SIDE. Dining area with tables & chairs. Open today til 6 pm.
BIG RADIO DINING TENT – NORTHWEST CORNER. Dining area with tables and chairs. Open today til 6 pm.
VENDOR MARKETPLACE – Booths in Library Parking Lot – Commercial vendors, merchandise for sale, businesses & groups promoting products & services. (9 am–5 pm)
MAKER’S MARKET – Just west of the Square; right behind Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern. Shop the booths of creators, fiber artists, hobbyists, wood crafters, photographers, painters, etc, who personally design and make what they sell. (9 am-1 pm)
CHEESE TENT (Chäs Zält) Cheese for sale and meet the cheesemakers. EAST SIDE of Square. Presented by Foreign Type Cheesemakers Assn. Questions about the Cheese Tent? Call 608.325.2507. Vendors: Babcock Dairy, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (9 am–4 pm)
NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER – Showcasing the history of cheese making. The past comes alive at the century-old Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory. 2018 6th Ave, at intersection of Hwy 69 south and 21st St. (10 am–3 pm) PARK AND RIDE SHUTTLE STOP (limited parking here - for visitors at the center or shuttle bus riders with accessibility challenges)
FAMILY FARM ADVENTURE TENT – Sponsored by Green County Farm Bureau, in partnership with 4–H, FFA & other ag groups. Check out a number of educational activities about agriculture! On NORTHEAST corner of Square by First National Bank. (10 am–5 pm; closed during parade)
USS WISCONSIN MODEL SUBMARINE - Check out WIS 827, a dimensionally accurate, 1/11-scale inflatable model of the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) ballistic missile submarine. The full-size submarine is currently under construction in Rhode Island and is expected to be christened in 2029 and join the U.S. Navy fleet in 2031. At the northeast corner of the downtown Square, hosted by DAR volunteers. (10 am - 5 pm)
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" south of the Courthouse Square (behind JoAnne’s Dress Shop) - all weekend. Tickets are $1.00 each, 11 for $10.00, 23 for $20.00. Rides range from 3 to 5 tickets. (11 am - 5 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE (Grossi Bühni) – Yodeling, alphorns, polka bands, & Swiss heritage music. Daily schedule details at INFO BOOTH. (Entertainment today 11:30 am–5:30 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Goodtime Dutchmen – 3rd Generation Family Polka Band (11:30 am)
THE SWISS COLONY CHEESE DAYS PARADE (Chäs Tag Umzug) – Steps off from fairgrounds at 12:30 pm, arrives downtown approximately 12:45 pm.
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – Goodtime Dutchmen – 3rd Generation Family Polka Band (after the parade)
GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM (after parade til 4 pm)
MARTHA BERNET MAIN STAGE – New Glarus Jodlerklub + New Glarus Mannerchor (4 - 5:30 pm)
SEE YOU IN 2028!
