2024 FULL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, SEPT 20, 2024
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park off site at UPG (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! Menu/maps at INFO BOOTH. (10 am–9 pm)
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) – apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, Holstein bucket hats, stickers, magnets, Tony the Dancing Yodeler + Esther the Yodeler’s Wife, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, Wedgie bobbleheads, cheese earrings, Christmas ornaments, custom beer tankards. 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)
COLONY BRANDS TENT – Celebrating nearly 100 years in Monroe. Buy chocolate-covered cheesecake-on-a-stick – made exclusively for Cheese Days! Stop in to learn more about our growing family of digital and catalog brands, sign up for door prizes, and meet our beloved mascot Chris Mouse on Saturday. NE CORNER (10 am – 9 pm)
MAIN STAGE (Grossi Bühni) – Yodeling, alphorns, polka bands, and more. Tonight’s street dance – FBI AND THE UNTOUCHABLE HORNS! (Live music today on the main stage from noon til midnight)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen – Master Yodeler (Noon)
GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM (Noon - 4 pm)
“STREETS OF SWITZERLAND” European Sidewalk Café & Biergarten – Swiss specialties at Turner Hall (Noon–7 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: Brunkow Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (Noon–8 pm)
FARM TOUR #1 (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 5 PM. Guided tour led by Kris and Lynn, two volunteers who also happen to be quilting and gardening enthusiasts, and longtime friends. First stop is the 4th generation Wegmueller Farm, home to cows and calves, pigs, chickens, and The Brumby – Farmer Dan’s herd of horses. Dan and Ashley will share info about the farm, and provide a real-world perspective on today’s agricultural industry. Wegmueller Farm offers a variety of equine experiences and guided trail rides, and features a farm-stay vacation rental experience. Next stop is Ms. J and Co., home to a large flock of Assaf sheep. You will be welcomed by Mariana Marques de Almeida, senior animal scientist, breeding advisor, and cheese specialist. The Assaf is a hardy cross between two breeds: Awassi from Israel, and East Friesian from Germany. Characteristics include floppy ears, blunt Roman noses, and high milk production. You will see the milking process taking place in a parlor which was custom-outfitted with smaller-size equipment imported from DeLaval in Spain. The milk is made into artisan cheese. Bonus: mid-September is prime lambing season!
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, and flight of stairs at sheep farm. Please no strollers. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at Wegmueller Farm.
MAIN STAGE - Keith Zweifel Band (1:15 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Alphorn Entertainment (1:45 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Meet the Cheese Days Royalty (2 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Francois Family Band (2:15 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)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (2:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – D’Schwiizer Gruppe (3:30 pm)
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" parking lot - south of the Courthouse Square. Tickets are $2.00 each. 11 tickets for $10.00, and 23 tickets for $20.00. Rides are 3-5 tickets each.
MAIN STAGE – Polka with DJ Shotski. (4:10 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (4:15 pm)
CHILDREN’S COSTUME PARADE (Chinder Trachte Umzug) – Prince & Princess lead the parade (5 pm)
OPENING CEREMONY – MAIN STAGE – MC - Scott Thompson of BIG RADIO. Presentation of Colors with Green County Sheriff Dept., ceremonial blowing of Alphorns, anthems with the Monroe Swiss Singers, presentation of royalty and cheesemakers. (6 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – The Decade: 80’s Rock (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Alphorn Entertainment (7:15 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Mariachi Sol de Madison (7:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – FBI and the Untouchable Horns! (9 pm - midnight)
SATURDAY, SEPT 21, 2024
Photo opps and fun today with roving entertainers: Alphorn Blowers, Accordion Players, Stilt Walkers, and Wedgie the Cheese Days Mascot!
FARM TOUR #2 (Click for Tickets)
Boarding begins 8:30 AM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off at Turner Hall at 10:15 AM and by Grace Lutheran slightly before 10:30 AM. Guided tour led by Kris and Lynn, two volunteers who also happen to be quilting and gardening enthusiasts, and longtime friends. Visit the 4th generation Wegmueller Farm, home to cows and calves, pigs, chickens, and The Brumby – Farmer Dan’s herd of horses. Dan and Ashley will share info about the farm, and provide a real-world perspective on today’s agricultural industry. Wegmueller Farm offers a variety of equine experiences and guided trail rides, and features a farm-stay vacation rental experience.
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. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at the farm.
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park offsite at UPG (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
FOOD STANDS – Eat your way around the Courthouse Square! Menu/maps at INFO BOOTH. (9 am–9 pm)
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) – apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, Holstein bucket hats, stickers, magnets, Tony the Dancing Yodeler + Esther the Yodeler’s Wife, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, Wedgie bobbleheads, cheese earrings, Christmas ornaments, custom beer tankards. 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.
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" south of the Courthouse Square (behind JoAnne’s Dress Shop) - all weekend. Tickets are $2.00 each. 11 tickets for $10.00, and 23 tickets for $20.00. Rides are 3-5 tickets each.
CHEESE DAYS CHASE 2024 – 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 First National Bank parking lot. (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)
“STREETS OF SWITZERLAND” European Sidewalk Café & Biergarten – Swiss specialties at Turner Hall. (9 am–7 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: Brunkow Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (9 am–8 pm)
COLONY BRANDS TENT – Celebrating nearly 100 years in Monroe. Buy chocolate-covered cheesecake-on-a-stick – made exclusively for Cheese Days! Stop in to learn more about our growing family of digital and catalog brands, sign up for door prizes, and meet our beloved mascot Chris Mouse on Saturday. NE CORNER (9 am–9 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)
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)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Studio M Dancers (10 AM)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Trivia (and prizes!) with Green County Ag Chest Dairy Queens (10:45 AM)
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 11 am–midnight)
MAIN STAGE – Biergarten Specials (11 am)
TURNER HALL – The “Heart of Cheese Days” Experience: learn about Swiss heritage and culture with a visit to Turner Hall - featuring exhibits of traditional Swiss folk arts and history. On stage: Monroe Swiss Singers performance at 11 am, Presentation of Swiss Immigration to Green County at Noon, Music with d’Schwiizer Gruppe at 1 pm, Alphorns at 2 pm, Scherenschnitte at 3 pm, Die Musikfreunde (Swiss folk tunes) at 4 pm, History of Turner Hall at 5 pm, and Monroe Swiss Singers performance at 6 pm. (11 am - 6:30 PM)
KIDS' STREET (Chinder Schpil Strass) Sponsored by TDS and Presented by Green County YMCA – by the Post Office. Fun stuff for kids – all free! (Click for Kid's Street Schedule)
KIDS’ STREET - Green County YMCA GEMS Gymnastics (11 - 11:30 am)
KIDS’ STREET - KT’s Party Faces - face painting (11 am - 3 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Balloon Twisting (11 am - 4 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Comedy Show with Jason the Juggler (11:30 am - Noon)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (11:15 am-Noon)
MAIN STAGE – Monroe City Band (Noon)
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. You'll meet Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers Jeff Wideman and Gary Grossen, who will explain the process and demonstrate the steps. Spectators will have the opportunity to take a turn stirring the kettle with the "Swiss harp" (great photo opp!) After 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. (Noon–4 pm)
GREEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM (Noon - 4 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – David Austin Band (12:15 - 2 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Comedy Show with Jason the Juggler (12:30 -1 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Live Characters - meet & mingle, photos (1 - 3 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Elite Tae Kwon Do (1:15 - 2 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (1:15 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Great Big Bubbles! (1:45 - 2:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – WORLD’S BIGGEST POLKA DANCE! All around the downtown Square. DJ Shotski will spin the records. SIGN UP TODAY! (2 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Trivia (and prizes!) with Green County Ag Chest Dairy Queens (2:30 PM)
FARM TOUR #3 - (tickets available only at festival, starting Friday, Sept. 20 @ 10 AM)
Boarding begins 2:30 PM - east of Grace Lutheran Church, 1025 15th Ave., adjacent to Maker’s Market. Drop off is same location – at 5 PM. Guided tour led by Lynn, one of Green County’s most active volunteers who also happens to be a quilting and gardening enthusiast. First stop is the 4th generation Wegmueller Farm, home to cows and calves, pigs, chickens, and The Brumby – Farmer Dan’s herd of horses. Dan and Ashley will share info about the farm, and provide a real-world perspective on today’s agricultural industry. Wegmueller Farm offers a variety of equine experiences and guided trail rides, and features a farm-stay vacation rental experience. Next stop is Ms. J and Co., home to a large flock of Assaf sheep. You will be welcomed by Mariana Marques de Almeida, senior animal scientist, breeding advisor, and cheese specialist. The Assaf is a hardy cross between two breeds: Awassi from Israel, and East Friesian from Germany. Characteristics include floppy ears, blunt Roman noses, and high milk production. You will see the milking process taking place in a parlor which was custom-outfitted with smaller-size equipment imported from DeLaval in Spain. The milk is made into artisan cheese. Bonus: mid-September is prime lambing season!
Farm Tour Tickets - To give out of town guests a chance to get on the tours, tickets for Tour #3 will be sold ONLY during the festival. Half of the tickets available starting on Fri, Sept 20 starting at 10 AM, and remaining tickets available Sat, Sept 21 starting at 10 AM. Buy tickets (cash only) at INFO TRAILER west side of Square.
>>Note: farm tour involves climbing several steps to board a bus, standing, walking on uneven ground, and flight of stairs at sheep farm. Please no strollers. You may wish to bring a bottle of water. Porta potty available at Wegmueller Farm.
KIDS’ STREET - Cheerleading Team (2:30 - 3 pm)
MAIN STAGE - Meet the Cheese Days Royalty (2:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Doo Wop Jukebox (3 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - 2023 Dance Company (3 - 3:30 pm)
KIDS’ STREET - Stilt Walker - starting on Kids’ Street and traveling around downtown area (3:30 - 5 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Edelweiss Revisited (3 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT – Ukulele Express 815 (4:15 pm)
MAIN STAGE - Alphorn Entertainment (4:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (5 pm)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Trivia (and prizes!) with Green County Ag Chest Dairy Queens (5:15 PM)
HOSPITALITY TENT - Monroe Optimist’s Cheese Curd Eating Contest. In honor of the club’s 54th year of frying curds. Contestants (chosen in advance) will be challenged to see how many curds they can eat in 54 seconds. (5:30 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Wheelhouse (6:30 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Boogie and the YoYoz! (8:45 pm–midnight)
SUNDAY, SEPT 22, 2024
[ NOTE: Schedule is tentative - subject to change. ]
PARK & RIDE SHUTTLE BUS – FREE. Park offsite at Orchid (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! Menu/maps at INFO BOOTH. (9 am–6 pm)
CHEESE DAYS STORE – SOUVENIR TENT (Adenke Zält) –apparel, Limburger shirts and caps, Holstein bucket hats, stickers, magnets, Tony the Dancing Yodeler + Esther the Yodeler’s Wife, Courthouse mugs, collector buttons, pint glasses, Wedgie bobbleheads, cheese earrings, Christmas ornaments, custom beer tankards. 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.
CARNIVAL (Rummel Platz) – "Spring Square" south of the Courthouse Square (behind JoAnne’s Dress Shop) - all weekend. Tickets are $2.00 each. 11 tickets for $10.00, and 23 tickets for $20.00. Rides are 3-5 tickets each.
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: Brunkow Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese, Chalet Cheese Cooperative, Decatur Dairy, Emmi Roth, Klondike Cheese Company, Valley View Cheese Cooperative, and V&V Supremo. (9 am–4 pm)
COLONY BRANDS TENT – Celebrating nearly 100 years in Monroe. Buy chocolate-covered cheesecake-on-a-stick – made exclusively for Cheese Days! Stop in to learn more about our growing family of digital and catalog brands and sign up for door prizes. NE CORNER (9 am–6 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)
MAIN STAGE (Grossi Bühni) – Yodeling, alphorns, polka bands, & Swiss heritage music. Daily schedule at INFO BOOTH. (Entertainment today 10 am–6 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Swiss Canton Fashion Show by Wilhelm Tell Usherettes (10 am)
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)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (10:30 am)
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.
MAIN STAGE – Goodtime Dutchmen – 3rd Generation Family Polka Band (after the parade)
MAIN STAGE – New Glarus Jodlerklub (Yodel Club) (3:45 pm)
MAIN STAGE – New Glarus Männerchor (4:30 pm)
MAIN STAGE – Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler (5:30 pm)
SEE YOU IN 2026!
