Since it's beginning, the festival has become a top draw throughout the area. Mike Danner served as the event's first chairman and remains active. The festival is incorporated and operated by a board, with any profits used to perpetuate the event.
ăIt's the one time of the year when everyone comes down to the river to have a good time,œ said Ann Mulligan, director of the Switzerland County Welcome Center, headquarters for the Aug. 24-27 event.

This year, three Indiana wineries plan to take part in the "Gala Wine Judging" and wine tasting pavilion. In addition, "amateur applications" are available at the Welcome Center for homemade wines to be judged.
The wines will be judged Aug. 19 at the Schenck Mansion, 206 W. Turnpike St., Vevay. Tickets for the event are $15 and can be reserved in advance by calling the Welcome Center or be purchased at the door. 
The historic mansion was built in 1874 by Benjamin Franklin Schenck, the wealthy "hay king" of the steamboat era. It was designed by Cincinnati architect George Hum-phreys. Two years ago, Jerry and Lisa Fisher bought the house with plans to convert it into a bed and breakfast. It should be open by October, they said.

Using the slogan, "Come Enjoy a Taste of Our Heritage," organizers will set up a wine tasting pavilion on the festival grounds, where visitors can sample and purchase wines from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Wine tasting tickets are 50 cents each.

Beer connoisseurs, meanwhile, can enjoy their favorite beverages at the Beer Garden, where live entertainment is scheduled Friday and Saturday nights. The Beer Garden opens Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

More bands scheduled for this year's festival.

For this 29th annual event, organizers have allotted more money for entertainment, so the schedule is full of all types of musical groups. The list includes country, rock, bluegrass, Dixieland and folk bands.
Admission to the festival is $2 adults and $1 for children ages 5-12. Under 5 is free. This year, however, organizers have waived the admission charges for Thursday night to help kick off the event. 
Thursday's lineup includes a talent contest, Community Grape Stomp and two princess contests for girls ages 14-16 and 17-21. 

Edelweiss Princess to stay busy at festival. The Edelweiss Teen Princess Contest is for girls ages 14-16, with the winner to receive a $250. The winner of the Edelweiss Princess contest will receive $500 and become eligible to compete in the Indiana State Festival Association Scholarship Pageant for a $1,500 scholarship. 

The Swiss Wine Festival is a member of the Indiana Stage Festivals Association, which promotes the growth of festivals within the state by providing seminars for festival organizers.

Both Edelweiss princesses will represent the festival throughout the rest of the week by presenting trophies to event winners.

Friday will get the festival off to a musical start with live entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. (slow time) on the Main Stage. Cruises on the Dottie G will begin at noon and run throughout the weekend. A 3K River Mini Run will take place Friday evening, along with yet another Grape Stomp.
Following an invigorating 5K River Walk/Run on Saturday morning, the Grand Festival Parade will step off at 10 a.m. and wind through the streets of town. The day will be filled with all sorts of musical entertainment, sporting events and folk traditions, such as stein tossing and grape stomping. 

Folk dancers will perform in the afternoon and evening, some inviting the crowd onto the dance floor to take part in the traditional ăchicken dance.œ If you don't know the chicken dance, you'll soon learn it after hearing dozens of rounds of the addictive European favorite tune.
Around dusk on Saturday, the skies over the river town will light up with a fireworks show, sponsored by the Belterra Resort and Casino.

Sunday's schedule will feature more music and folk dancing, also sporting events and a high energy cheerleading contest among area high schools. 
Don't forget the Duck Race at $2 a duck with the winner to receive $250. 
Amusement rides to add excitement for youths
For the third year, amusement rides are being provided by DP Amusements of Newburgh, Ind. They feature the hurricane, scrambler, giant slide and something for all ages. Advance ride tickets are available at the Welcome Center for three tickets for $2.50.

Tickets during the festival are 10 tickets for $10 or $1.25 each. Each ride requires only one ticket.
There's something for everyone at the Swiss Wine Festival. And don't be surprised if you see lots of lederhosen and lace, since many people come dressed in traditional Swiss wardrobe.

And don't worry, after a few glasses of Indiana wine or a few mugs of German beer, the chicken dance is a piece of cake.

* Applications for these events and booth rentals are available at the Welcome Center, 209 Ferry St. Or call (812) 427-3237 or 1-800-HELLO-VV.
 

Wedding Bell Blues

The cost of bliss keeps growing

There's a lot of hoopla in the news over "The Marriage Tax." It may surprise our younger readers to know that not many years ago, there was a popular adage claiming, "Two can live cheaper than one." And for several years, there was a tax advantage if one was married. 
Single people didn't like it, so they whined and complained until they got legislators to make it more appealing, tax-wise, to stay single. Soon, we'll switch back again and start all over. 
So while the politicians are playing ping-pong with our money, no one is really doing anything about a real problem in marriage: "The Marriage Toll."
Like a bridge toll, the marriage toll is imposed when you cross pew No. 1 on your trip down the aisle on your wedding day. No one mentions it ahead of time because most of the people who are urging you to get married are already married. 
The minister doesn't mention it in the ceremony because he doesn't want you running out of the church when you hear about it. He does hint at it a little with that remark about "For richer or poorer."
The Marriage Toll is very simple. From this day forward, you will pay, pay, pay. You don't even get out of the church before you have to slip the minister a nice check. It's a warning shot to let you know what's coming.
It starts before you even get away from the reception. Some numbskull invented the tradition of the ădollar dance,œ a costly custom where guests pay to dance with the bride. I know of one fellow who spent $65 just so he could dance with his own bride at their wedding. 
Right off the bat, if you're the lucky groom, you're expected to buy a chunk of life insurance. You'd be some kind of rat if you croaked and left your helpless bride to fend for herself (even though she was doing fine before she met you).
Part of the problem is not that you got married, but that when you got married, you inherited a flock of other people from your beloved's side of the family. 
Let's say each of you came from a modest family of four: two kids, two parents. That doesn't seem complicated. But now add two sets of grandparents, your sister's husband and let's say a favorite aunt and uncle on each side. Did I mention they were each married and had two kids? 
OK, now you have, in addition to your new spouse, 13 new people for whom to buy gifts twice a year, on their birthdays and Christmas. (We won't squabble over Father's Day, Mother's day and anniversaries.) 
You're in trouble before the rice lands in your hair! You just said "I do" to $520 a year! 
But wait, it's not over yet! Remember the two kid cousins? They'll be ringing your doorbell before you return the tuxedo to relieve you of some more money. More than likely, they'll be selling something that's supposed to be edible, but isn't. 
You'll turn over the first of many 10-dollar bills to help them raise money to stop the slaughter of field mice. During the remainder of your first blissful year, those darling kids are a sure bet for at least one broken arm or childhood illness, good for another $20 gift. (Don't worry about the math & I'm keeping track.) 
Most single folks are smart enough to live in apartments, but there's the unwritten rule that married folks should buy a house. I guess that's so they can fill it with children and pets and pianos & expensive things. 
All your friends will tell you that if you rent, you're just throwing money away, but did they mention the cost of a lawnmower, power tools, utilities and taxes? Most folks would be better off living in a five-star hotel than owning a house. At least in a hotel, you can hang up the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Try doing that at home. You'll be as popular as a skunk at a picnic.
The Marriage Toll is higher for men than for women. If you're a single guy, no one expects you to bring a fancy dish to a potluck supper, and they probably wouldn't eat it if you did. But if you're married, the rules change.
"Hey, George! Have the little wife fix up that filet mignon thing for the party. Man, that woman can cook!"
Before they're married, guys can get away with $2.75 greeting cards for their mothers. But after they're married, a guilt thing kicks in, thanks to the new wife.
"Honey, we can't just give your mother a card! I found this darling sweater she'll just adore on sale for $49.95!"
Before they're married, guys can dress like a schlock and enjoy it. But once the little bride gets her hands on his wardrobe, he develops a recurring clothing expense. New duds just mysteriously show up in his closet. By the way, that's why some women pack their husband's suitcase. They want to avoid embarrassing surprises.
"You mean we spent $2,700 for a weekend in Vegas, and all you brought was this raggy T-shirt and your Spandex bike pants?"
Of course, it can go either way. Imagine her surprise when she finds out he has postponed his estimated $5,600 dental work until after the wedding! Picture her reaction when she realizes he hasn't paid back his $70,000 student loan!
So let's cut to the bottom line. I promised to do the math for you, and by my calculations, being married costs about $824 a month more than being single. 
So the next time you hear wedding bells, just close your eyes and picture a cash register!

Bernadette Wickersham resides in Madison, Ind.