The Swiss Days Committee has fun-filled program on tap for this month’s celebration. There is a schedule of the planned events and entertainment is this newsletter. The venues continue to grow and expand, and offer a family friendly environment with something for every age group. From the flipper shoot, to the kid’s games, to traditional heritage displays, to modern entertainment, great food, the best parade in Southern Utah on the best parade route, to the 5k run, to the craft vendors, to the car show; whatever your interest is, there is an event just for you. Don’t miss the opportunity to join me on the Mayors Walk as part of Thursday’s Swiss Days activities. We will meet near the South Hills Water Tank at 8:00 am to tour the proposed City Adventure Park, including new hiking and mountain biking trailheads, Frisbee golf, expanded public park-ing, restrooms and educational facilities to encourage outdoor recreational activities. This facility will be a great addition to the City.

Speaking of great facilities, residents of the City are receiving a special gift this year as a result of some generous donations from residents and business owners. For many years the City has planned for a traditional Glockenspiel to be installed in the clock tower at Town Hall. This very unique visual art and music feature, typical of public buildings in Europe, is expected to be en-joyed by residents for years to come as well as drawing more tourists and visitors to the historic district downtown in Santa Clara. The concept to honor the Swiss heritage of the community has been discussed by the City Council for the past 15 years and the design for Town Hall re-served a place for it in the clocktower, however it was always considered an extravagance during the budget process and a low priority use of public funds.

The idea never died and now thanks to some dedicated craftsmen and volunteer contractors, the dream is becoming a reality. For those of you like me who didn’t know what a Glockenspiel even was, think of the dancing European figures dressed in traditional Swiss or German clothing who appear from a hid-den door in a cuckoo clock and dance to joyful music when the clock strikes specified times during the day. I remember as a young boy, being mesmerized by my Grandmothers clocks brought home from Germany by my parents serving in the military. The City Council is hopeful the public will be captivated the same way by the newest historic land-mark in the City. The new Glockenspiel will be dedicated and unveiled on Monday, September 18th to kick off the City’s Annual Swiss Days celebration starting at 7:30 pm across the street from Town Hall. Bring your family and join us in celebrating the community’s Swiss heritage and witness this very unique and fun event.

Enjoy the cooler temperatures and take the time to get outside. I hope to see you all at the Swiss Days Parade. We’ve ordered extra candy this year so stand tall and wave. As always, I’ll do my best to deliver. Stay safe Santa Clara.

Mayor Rick Rosenberg (rickr@racivil.com)