The festivities are well under way in the City of Berne for the annual celebration of Swiss Days.
Before the events even officially kicked off, a large crowd gathered to check out the food selections and take in the entertainment in the Main Tent, provided by Razz M’ Jazz Dance Studio in Decatur.
Ceremonies then got underway with a singing of the American national anthem, followed by the Swiss national anthem. An English translation of the song was read before the anthem was sung in German.
The American and Swiss national anthems were sung as part of Thursday’s festivities.Mayor Sprunger’s opening remarks
That opened the floor for Mayor Gregg Sprunger (pictured above) to hand out awards and officially begin the festival.
Army and Jane Velasco were named Citizens of the Year for the City of Berne. They are pictured with Berne Chamber VP Floyd Liechty. WZBD’s Rob Weaver provides a rundown of awards handed out at Thursday’s opening ceremonies. Charles Isch (left) was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Berne Chamber VP Floyd LiechtyAudio of Floyd Liechty’s biography of Charles Isch, followed by Isch’s acceptance speech.
Dane Fuelling has been passionate about high school sports since childhood. Coming to WZBD via his previous position as sports editor at the Decatur Daily Democrat, Dane is highly involved in high school wrestling with the IHSWCA and is a past winner of the organization's Distinguished Media Award.
