Fasnacht @ Helvetia

The town of Helvetia embraces its Swiss culture by celebrating the end of winter and start of Lent by burning Old Man Winter at Fasnacht this Saturday. Starting in the afternoon, you will be able to join in jam sessions, listen to the sound of community coming together to eat and be merry, or browse through the local shops and mask museum.
In the later part of the evening, a parade featuring large, often frightening, artistic masks travels from the Red Hall to the Community Hall where the costumes are judged and a square dance begins.
At midnight the effigy of Old Man Winter is cut down from the ceiling of the Community Hall, carried on the shoulders of the celebrants to the bonfire outside, and burned to signal the end of Winter.

10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Helvetia Mask Museum and General Store are Open in Kultur Haus Helvetia.
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Open mic and food. Star Band (Red) Hall.
11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sampler plate served all day. Hutte Restaurant.
7:30 p.m. – Kid’s Mask Judging at Community Hall. Toys, snacks, and dancing.
8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Lampion (candlelight) parade – Star Band Hall to Community Hall.
8:15 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Mask Judging and Masquerade Ball. Community Hall. $10 per person.
11:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Burning Old Man Winter and Bonfire. Outside Community Hall