The club is founded in Ripon by Swiss families farming in the valley.
How it started
The San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club was founded in Ripon in 1926 by Swiss families farming in the valley. It was incorporated in 1941.
The club is a non-profit organisation, owned and run by its members.
The hall
The hall sits on Manley Road at the edge of Ripon. The carved sign over the door gives both dates, 1926 and 1941. Inside, the cantonal crests are mounted along the wall above the dance floor.
The club uses it for its own events through the year and rents it out the rest of the time.
The anniversary weekend
The anniversary weekend in September ran from Friday to Sunday. Friday was a cocktail social. Saturday was the Championship Schwingfest, with a steak and Älplermagronen dinner and dancing afterwards. Sunday opened with Mass, then the children's Schwingfest, Steinstossen and a parade.
What the club does
- Runs three Schwingfests a year and a weekly wrestling practice.
- Keeps a chorus, the Swiss Echoes, going since 1947.
- Holds Jass parties, Oktoberfest, a children's Christmas party and a members' BBQ.
- Marches in the Ripon Almond Blossom Parade each February.
- Runs a Swiss camp for children each summer.
- Rents its hall to the public.
Record
A hundred years, in dates
The club is incorporated. Both dates are carved into the sign over the hall door.
The Swiss Echoes are founded with 28 charter members, John Meyer directing.
The chorus sings at its first Sängerfest, in Los Angeles. It has been to every one since.
The club hosts the first California Swiss Singing and Jodeling Festival.
The club hosts the 10th Sängerfest.
The 16th Sängerfest, at the hall.
The 24th Sängerfest.
The 29th Sängerfest.
The club’s hundredth year.