More Fasnacht

Hope this doesn't bore you because there's loads coming...

This was the Oberwil Fasnacht parade.

Many Waggis ride on huge floats, on the back of tractors or trucks. They throw their goodies at the crowd, sometimes targeting the grownups for a good pelting. They also deliver handfuls, bags full or buckets full of confetti onto unsuspecting heads.

I love the music, which is usually well-known songs, pop songs etc - played on pipes and drums (traditional), or by brass bands.

We stood by two old ladies who wanted to help the kids get sweets (it's vicious out there). If you lift the kids up they can go right up to the floats and put out their hand for something. (That something is sometimes confetti though). This lady helped Benjy as she was in a good position at the front.

This woman got a serious amount of räppeli (confetti) down her back - and boy is that uncomfortable, it itches!

Not content to shove in in her collar, he rams it right down her back!

We usually run when a Waggi comes nearby with a load of räppeli.

If a Waggi catches your eye and you're a good catch, there are toys and gifts also to be had.

And they like to hurl oranges at people, one after the other, in quick succession

The day we came back from skiing was the last day of Fasnacht, which is also held in Muttenz. So off we went, this time in costumes of their own choice. (You get more treats if you dress up).

We arrived early to see them all getting ready.

This dude has a huge bag of räppeli so approaching for sweets is a risky business. They will often dump the entire bag on you. Especially since this is the last event of the year.

What a haul!

A highlight of Fasnacht this year, was that Benjy made it onto the front page of our local paper. He's the yellow one without a nose, pointing ahead.

Muttenz Kid's Fasnacht 2015

February is Fasnacht time (Carnival). We love it and the kids take part in the Muttenz Kid's Parade through kindy and school.

The main events occur in Basel city over three continuous days and nights. We missed those this year as we were skiing, but there are parades in all the Basel towns, usually two (one at the start for the kids, another at the end of the Fasnacht fortnight).

We did the first and last Muttenz parades, plus one in Oberwil nearby.

Here they are, ready to head down to the meeting place before the Muttenz procession. 

 The kids all meet (in their hundreds) at a school where they prepare for the procession. This is Benjy's kindy group and they are clowns.

Round the corner is Flynn's group, who are dressed as the main character from a well-known Swiss children's book.

The trees down the high street are full of strange things

And they're off!

 Each school with its own theme and to the sound of music played by Fasnacht bands.

Benjy's nose fell off just as they were starting so it's easy to spot him. He is the little one behind the green guy at the front (with no nose).

The kids throw confetti at the onlookers, or sweets if you're lucky.