Plenty of new events and activities are set at this year’s Swiss Wine Festival

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Once again the Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors has worked hard all year to make the 34th Swiss Wine Festival the biggest and best festival ever.

The Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors is made up of 14 volunteers who meet twice a month year around to plan the festival each year. In addition there are over 25 chairpersons who are responsible for different events during the festival.

“It takes a countless number of hours each year to put on a first class festival,” chairman Kirk Works said. “We are proud of what we have accomplished during the past few years and hope to continue to build on that success.”

“I would like to encourage everyone to make plans now to bring your family and friends to the 34th Swiss Wine Festival for a weekend of family fun,” he continued.

NEW FOR 2005

There are all types of new things going on at this year’s festival, and Kirk Works spent some time going over just a few of the things that will attract people of all ages.

— Spirit of Jefferson Riverboat Cruises. This is the first time the Spirit of Jefferson (from Louisville, Kentucky) has been to Vevay during the Swiss Wine Festival. This boat is larger than the previous one and has two levels inside with air conditioning. We will have dinner cruises on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. There will be a fireworks cruise on Saturday night and a Moon Light cruise on Friday night with Sightseeing cruises throughout the weekend. For more information about the Spirit of Jefferson visit their web site at www.belleoflouisville.org . To make reservations please call the Switzerland County Visitor’s Center at 427-3237.

— Laser Light Show. The Laser Light Show will take place on both Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday night the Fireworks Show sponsored by Belterra Casino Resort and Spa will immediately follow the Laser Light Show.

— Hot Air Balloon Glow. A Hot Air Balloon Glow will take place on Friday night in the Ball Field. Hot Air Balloon tether rides will be available before the Balloon Glow.

— Murray Brothers Shows. Murray Brothers Shows from Cincinnati, Ohio will be providing all the amusement rides and games on the midway. “They will have newer and more modern rides than we have had in the past few years.” Discount amusement rides tickets will be sold again this year.

— Endless Summer Band. The headliner entertainment on Friday night will be the Endless Summer Band. The Endless Summer Band offers a fantastic, family musical variety show. The four lead vocal stylists really bring the mega hits to life with much more than just great voices. Colorful costume changes, high energy choreography, and hilarious comedy bits are all part of what you will see with the Endless Summer Band.

— Corn Hole Tournament. Corn Hole Tournaments sponsored by MainSource Bank will be held during the festival weekend. The Corn Hole Tournament will be held in the Ball Field. During the daytime the tournament will be open to everyone, but in the evening it will only be open to adults over 21.

— Antique Auction. An antique auction will take place on Sunday afternoon in the ball field. Anyone wanting to sell some antiques can call Mike Danner at 427-3535.

—Additional picnic tables with umbrellas. We will have more picnic tables with umbrellas to serve the festival visitors.

— Back by Popular Demand. The Van-Dells will be the headliner entertainment on Saturday night. “They put on a great show last year in spite of the rain on Saturday night so we decided to invite them back again this year”. They are the Nation’s #1 Rock-n-Roll Review. The Van-Dells are an oldies show group specializing in 50’s and 60’s Rock-n-Roll. They sign a cross section of oldies and combine a unique blend of comedy, choreography, tight harmonies and costume changes. When the Van-Dells hit the stage, it is nonstop action from start to finish.

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Along with the new events, there are still plenty of events that have become festival traditions. The 2005 Swiss Wine Festival will also again include:

Little Swiss Polka Dancers, Edelweiss Dancers, Fireworks Show (Saturday night), Grand Festival Parade (Saturday 10 a.m.), Arts and Crafts booths, Community Grape Stomp (Thursday night), Grape Stomping, Steintossen.

Also: Run for the Rose, 5K Walk Run (Saturday 8 a.m.), 3K River Run, Edelweiss Prince and Princess Program (at Belterra on Sunday, August 7th), Teen Princess Pageant, Swiss Ambassador Program, Wine Tasting Pavilion, Beer Garden.

Also: Food Booths, Helicopter Rides (Saturday night), Lots of professional entertainment, Community Church Service, Duck Race, Great Canoe Race, Weight Lifting Contest, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments, Cruise-In, Poker Run, “Savor the Taste” wine judging on Saturday, August 20th.

For additional information, please visit the festival web site at www.swisswinefestival.org or call the Visitor’s Center at 427-3237.