Älplerchilbi is a centuries-old Alpine Festival, celebrated in many parts of Central Switzerland, where alpine farming is practiced. The farmers get together in the Fall (Second Sunday of November, to be precise) to thank God for a nice, profitable summer and an accident-free time in alp.  After the ceremony in the church, the farmers partake in a street procession to depict the alpine life and customs. Later, they indulge in food, music and dance.

Leading the procession are typically, two "Wild-Beings" or the "Butzi". At first glance, they appear to be upto no-Good.. playing pranks, destroying anything that they can lay their hands on.

I wonder what could be a deeper meaning... Perhaps the "Butzi" are out to destroy the symbols of the "typical-modern-life", where man in his greed has lost all respect for Nature and Wilderness. It kinda makes sense, as the "Butzi" are very kind to the Children and offer them little treats. After destroying human encroachments, they dance happily.

The procession continues with flag waving, gun shots and bands playing folk music. The funny anecdotes from the lives of Beckenrieders are recited as short poems in Swiss-German by two locals. The onlookers (including us) try to figure out who the poems are about whilst munching on snacks from street-vendors.

For a grand finale, the farmers and the stars of the show "The Cows" dressed in their regalia, march through the village...