Driving up Mowry past NewPark Mall, you’ll see a building resembling a Swiss Chalet next to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. Since 1935 it has been a community hub for Swiss-Americans in the Bay Area—and anyone who wants to participate in dances, hikes, card games and any of a variety of yearly events. Their next upcoming event will be the Fall Schwingfest, set for the last Saturday in August.
Wrestlers from up and down the West Coast (and oftentimes even Switzerland) compete in Schwingfests at various Swiss Parks, including the one in Newark. For a quick definition of the sport, Schwingen is a type of wrestling held in bouts of 5 minutes. Players wear belted shorts—simply, “Schwingerhosen” — over their clothing, and the shorts are what opponents grip onto as they try to knock each other off balance. You win by knocking the other player onto his back with his shoulder blades touching the ground—usually within a sawdust ring— without losing your grip.
Kids ages five and up are invited to try out Schwingen, and there will be childrens’ games, Steinstossen (simply, rock throwing) and Jass (a Swiss card game). Of course, it wouldn’t be an event without food, so there will be a Swiss sausage lunch and BBQ chicken dinner for purchase.
According to the event’s flyer, Schwyzeroergeli players are invited to perform on the accordion-like instrument. Aelpler Gruppe Swiss Club President, Arnold Ambiel, is especially excited to mention four Alphorn players who will perform at various times throughout the day. This is fitting, as the club’s logo features an Alphorn.
Although one might imagine the sound from the instrument reverberating off distant peaks, Ambiel reassures attendees about volume. “It’s got a lower tone to it because it’s a horn. It’s not excessively loud.”
During the afternoon there will also be a choreographed bell parade. “We give a bell to the [Schwingfest] winner each year, that’s very beautiful, that’s from Switzerland, and that has a painting of the hall on it,” Ambiel explains. “The man that makes them is actually coming to visit us this year. So we’re going to have a parade in his honor.” The painter who makes the prize bells each year is happy to promote Newark Swiss Park. Ambiel adds, “He’s so proud of what the park looks like that he doesn’t care where the winners are from because it promotes the park wherever they take the bell home to.”
The event will also include a look into local history. Ambiel says, “We’re going to have an exhibit of local Swiss dairies that surrounded the Tri-City Area prior to suburbia being built…It tells the stories of these family dairies.” A flyer will also explain the history of the park and the hall so guests can take a self-guided tour. The club is also putting together a brochure to promote the muralist who painted the landscape behind the stage.
After the dinner, the event will end with dancing. But Aelpler Gruppe is already gearing up for next year, when they will celebrate their 100th Anniversary as a club, and their 90th year at the current location in Newark. They are planning a year’s worth of events, and this paper will stay tuned for updates.
Fall Schwingfest
Saturday, Aug 31
10am Gates Open
11am Wrestling Starts
1- 2:30pm Lunch
6pm Dinner
Swiss Park Newark
5911 Mowry Ave., Newark
510 936-2523
www.aelplergruppe.com
Admission $10, children under 12 free
Lunch $10, Dinner $20 adults / $10 children
