Burn the Böögg: New Glarus’ way to welcome spring

Think "Swiss Groundhog Day."

The New Glarus event was inspired by the Sechseläuten festival in Zurich, Switzerland where a large snowman figure (The Böögg) is built on a bonfire. In the Swiss tradition, the amount of time it takes to "Burn The Böögg" will forecast the summer weather. Colorful masks, music, bells and even the cracking of a whip help shoo away winter.

In New Glarus on April 15, 2023, we partied in a vineyard with polka dancing.

I loved this event because the music and Swiss cultural enthusiasts in New Glarus and Green County are as passionate about keeping tradition as they are in trying new things. It was a weird and wonderful way to say goodbye to winter.

I’m especially happy with the vintage polka I was able to bring to the event. With the exception of the Frankie Yankovic rendition of the Beer Barrel Polka, 100% of the records I played were recorded in Wisconsin. About a third of the records I brought were New Glarus and Green County polka and Swiss music artists. The rest of the records were on the Cuca Record label from Sauk City. It’s all about as local as you can get.

I’m pretty proud to be able to offer local music in this style. I hope there is an echo of the past that resonates in this space while a new generation of polka fans can enjoy this music.