Not to be Swissed
If you hear the distant sound of yodeling while driving through Tillamook this Saturday, Nov. 5, don’t panic — it’s just a sign that the Tillamook Swiss Centennial is in full swing.
The fun-packed celebration of cultural heritage will see the Tillamook County Fairgrounds play host to everything from a Lederhosen Fun Run and cornhole tournament to a pioneer quilt show, music, dancing, good beer and Swiss-style food.
The event is organized by the Tillamook Swiss Society, a group that has honored Tillamook County’s Swiss heritage for the past 100 years.
Activities will start at 10:30 am with the fun run check-in, and keep going until 11 pm, with highlights including the Steinstossen, a centuries-old Swiss stone-throwing contest; and
the Schwingfest competition, where combatants face each other in bouts of traditional alpine wresting.
The event also features axe throwing; a Little Swiss Contest; and Swiss music and dance throughout the day, with a Swiss Stomp at 7 pm.
Also making an appearance is fourth-generation dairy farmer Derrick Josi, known around the world as TDF Honest Farming, plus the 2022 Tillamook June Dairy Ambassador Court — all of whom come from Tillamook Swiss Pioneer families.
The Tillamook County Quilt Guild opens at noon, celebrating 100 years of quilting with the Tidal Treasures Quilt Show and raffle. Holly the Trolley will provide free shuttle service around the fairgrounds from 12:30 to 6 pm, thanks to the Tillamook County Transportation District.
Julie Hurliman of the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, herself a fourth-generation Tillamook Swiss, said she is thrilled be able to celebrate the community’s cultural bonds.
“The Swiss pioneers brought their expertise in dairy farming to this Oregon coastal environment, with the promise of building a new life for their families and creating a community,” she said. “With their hard work, collaboration and resilience, they laid the foundation for the area’s cheese-making business — now a nationally known brand.”
Admission to the event is free. Food and beverages are available onsite for purchase. There are fees for the fun run, cornhole tournament and axe throwing.
The Tillamook County Fairgrounds are located at 4603 3rd Street. To download the full event schedule, go to https://bit.ly/3eQFfH6.