The Swiss Canadian Mountain Range Association was delighted to host the Swiss National Day Celebration on August 1, 2026, at the SCMRA Chalet and grounds in Coquitlam. The event brought together more than 500 guests, volunteers and VIPs for a wonderful day and evening of Swiss food, music, friendship and celebration.
The event was held in cooperation with the Swiss Society of Vancouver, continuing a long-standing tradition of bringing the Swiss community together at the SCMRA property.
A Day of Celebration – and a Little Help from the Weather
The day started with rain, creating some uncertainty for the morning setup and the beginning of the celebration. Fortunately, the weather improved just as the main festivities got underway with mainly sunny skies and 21°C by 2:00 PM. The clearing weather was a welcome change and allowed guests to enjoy the SCMRA grounds, outdoor activities, food and entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening.
Swiss Community Coming Together
The celebration was a wonderful opportunity for members of the Swiss community to come together. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver, the Swiss Society of Vancouver and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce joined SCMRA members and guests to celebrate Swiss National Day.
The event provided an opportunity not only to celebrate Switzerland’s national heritage, but also to strengthen the connections between the various Swiss organizations and the broader Swiss-Canadian community in British Columbia.
Swiss Food and Hospitality
Food was once again a major part of the celebration. During the event, approximately 650 sausages were served, accompanied by potato salad, sauerkraut and buns.
Guests also enjoyed fresh pretzels, beer and a selection of desserts (Hazelnut croissants, almond croissants, and custard filled cream horn) throughout the day. The combination of food, refreshments and the beautiful SCMRA setting created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for guests of all ages.
Music and Entertainment
Music was an important part of the day’s festivities, with performances from Dorfmusik, Silverstar and the Vancouver Swiss Choir.
Dorfmusik provided a wonderful selection of Swiss music and also delighted the audience with several beautiful duet performances featuring the alphorns. Their traditional sound was a fitting addition to the National Day celebrations and helped create an unmistakably Swiss atmosphere at the chalet and mountain backdrop.
The Swiss Choir added another special element to the evening, with traditional Swiss songs and choral performances bringing the community together through music.
Children enjoying games throughout the day.
A View from Above
Adding a spectacular touch to the day’s celebrations, Sky Helicopters offered guests the opportunity to take a helicopter flight over the area and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and landscape.
Lampion Parade and Evening Celebration
As the evening progressed, the celebration took on a particularly memorable Swiss character with the lampion parade. Children carrying lanterns walked around the property, accompanied by singing.
The parade was a wonderful family tradition and provided a memorable conclusion to the evening, with children and families enjoying the grounds together under the evening sky.
We also hosted many guests who stayed overnight camping on the property, enjoying breakfast together in the morning before packing up and heading home for the weekend.
A Tremendous Volunteer Effort
An event of this size would not be possible without the extraordinary commitment of volunteers.
On the day of the event, 45 SCMRA volunteers and 34 Swiss Society volunteers worked together to make the celebration a success. In addition, 16 members of Dorfmusik and 15 members of the Swiss Choir participated in the event.
In total, more than 300 volunteer person-hours were contributed to the event, including the extensive preparation, planning, setup, event-day operations and cleanup.
The SCMRA property was in pristine condition and beautifully prepared to welcome our guests. This was the result of many hours of work by volunteers in the weeks leading up to August 1, as well as the dedicated teams who completed the final preparations and setup.
Thank You
A very special thank you goes to every volunteer from SCMRA and the Swiss Society who contributed their time, energy and expertise to make Swiss National Day 2026 possible. The success of the event was the result of many people working together behind the scenes long before the first guest arrived.
We would also like to thank Dorfmusik, the Vancouver Swiss Choir and Silverstar for providing outstanding entertainment and helping create such a festive atmosphere. A heartfelt thank you to our valued supporters, suppliers, and vendors for their generous contributions and continued support.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and celebrated with us. With more than 500 guests, volunteers and VIPs coming together, Swiss National Day 2026 demonstrated the strength and spirit of the Swiss community in British Columbia.
The rain may have provided a challenging start to the day, but the skies cleared, the music played, the food and drinks flowed, and the SCMRA grounds were filled with the sounds of Swiss celebration.
It was a wonderful Swiss National Day and a great celebration of community, friendship and Swiss tradition.
Uf Wiederluege – und bis zum nöchschte Johr!
Photo Gallery
