the largest turnip festival in the world! Villages all around the lake have their own Raebechilbi, but only in Richterswil can you witness a festival of this magnitude. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to experience Swiss culture first hand, we hopped on the train in Horgen for a short 15 minute ride to Richterswil. We joined some other folks I'd met through the Living in Zurich (LIZ) class for this unique event. As soon as we exited the train, we were accosted by kids anywhere from 10-15 years old selling cardboard discs on a string for 8 CHF (over $8). I was reluctant to buy one because it seemed a bit steep for what it was. But alas, Switzerland is expensive and we were told these discs were obligatorisch - in other words, our entrance ticket. I now have a Christmas ornament that none of you have. Actually, we have two!
We're guessing the evening's parade might also be a competition and this lady last year's winner. The panda is from the brochure we received with our "ticket" purchase.
This one is for Lynn, Kim and Alicia!
The allure of this festival was
the display of carved and glowing turnips. They were
decorating windowsills, dangling from arches and lining sidewalks like luminaries.
Some turnips were more intricately carved than others.
Children carried their own lit turnips.
The main event came at exactly 6:30 pm. We heard a bang and the lights of the town went out - the only light came from the glowing turnips. For one hour, we watched the turnip parade. Can anyone else say they've done this? We watched groups of children carry lit turnips on planks and many floats go by. You might say it was the Swiss version of the Rose Parade.
turnips on plank
this one is for Sarah!
the windmill was actually spinning!
people climbed up on the floats to relight turnips
view from the side to show the individual turnips
Please excuse the amateur videos.
Euro with a lightning bolt - you decide what this means
my personal favorite
The parade ended with two London floats in honor of the 2012 Olympics.
London Bridge
As soon as the parade ended, we headed back to the train station. On the way, we passed the street cleaner already out cleaning up after the festivities!
