The Start of the LPSS Schwingfest
In early 1964, a meeting of the Board of Directors was held in the old LPSS Swiss Hall located then across from the Frances Holy Family Catholic Church. The idea of a LPSS Schwingfest was brought to the floor by Werner Blaser. During the discussion, some were not sure of the club's ability to get enought schwingers and interest of the other West Coast Swiss Clubs to attend our LPSS program in Frances. Werner did not come to teh meeting without other suggestions and ideas. After a long board discussion, a unanimous vote to schedule a LPSS Schwingfest on June 27th was passed. Officers at teh time were Tony Portmann, President; Marie Monohon, Secretary; Manley Niemcziek, Treasurer; and Trustees Adolph Huber, Louie Camenzind, Mary Huber, Werner Blaser, and Fred Huber.
Local men volunteered to learn swiss wrestling techniques and rulings to help promote this new venture. Club members and area neighbors constantly worked creating ways to make park grounds more delightful and convienent for travelers. An informative program had to be developed for planning day and night activities for the schwinging, eating, dancing, and music schedules. Many hours were spent soliciting ads and putting the book together that was fun to read and guided readers around. A kitchen crew had to organize food and dinners for the Schwingfest crowds daily. Great effort by their ingenuity and stamina they arranged a gourmet variety of foods. Alphorn, jodeling, and landler music added to our Sunday Mass created sentimental joy for travelers to the park.
The sporting events required officials to score, match schwingers and present crowns. They worked hard to complete a good program. Swiss musicians provided joyous intermission and dance tunes during the day and well into the evenings for young and old to enjoy.
Over the years, many appreciative thanks have been received by the LPSS from people who enjoyed the park, people and program they have discovered here. One letter sums it up this way:
Thanks from our hearts....
for many kindness bestowed upon us;
for being warm-hearted adn generous people;
for creating a Schwingfest we'll long remember;
for your wonderful sense of humor.
With sincerest wishes, Trudy & Roland Schumacher
Local men volunteered to learn swiss wrestling techniques and rulings to help promote this new venture. Club members and area neighbors constantly worked creating ways to make park grounds more delightful and convienent for travelers. An informative program had to be developed for planning day and night activities for the schwinging, eating, dancing, and music schedules. Many hours were spent soliciting ads and putting the book together that was fun to read and guided readers around. A kitchen crew had to organize food and dinners for the Schwingfest crowds daily. Great effort by their ingenuity and stamina they arranged a gourmet variety of foods. Alphorn, jodeling, and landler music added to our Sunday Mass created sentimental joy for travelers to the park.
The sporting events required officials to score, match schwingers and present crowns. They worked hard to complete a good program. Swiss musicians provided joyous intermission and dance tunes during the day and well into the evenings for young and old to enjoy.
Over the years, many appreciative thanks have been received by the LPSS from people who enjoyed the park, people and program they have discovered here. One letter sums it up this way:
Thanks from our hearts....
for many kindness bestowed upon us;
for being warm-hearted adn generous people;
for creating a Schwingfest we'll long remember;
for your wonderful sense of humor.
With sincerest wishes, Trudy & Roland Schumacher
Help Us Collect Our History
The Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society is in the process of collecting memories, pictures, videos and other memorabilia related to our Schwingfests. If you have anything to share, please email Erin Frasier at erinfrasier@gmail.com.
1964 ~ 1st Schwingfest
Memories to come...
1965 ~ 2nd Schwingfest
Memories to come...