Le Giron de la Dôle

Since Friday, my village has been hosting the 33rd Giron de la Dôle, a gathering together of 12 choral groups, approximately 400 singers, from the district of Nyon.   Events have included concerts, aperitifs, meals and dances.  Today the groups also paraded through the town center. The weather has not been at all cooperative these days with wind and rain grimly whipping up waves on the lake.  The events have been well-attended nonetheless.

Because rainy weather was predicted, protective measures were taken.  Tents were erected so that meals and some events that would otherwise have been held outdoors could be hosted on schedule no matter what happened.

People didn't really seem to mind.  Good music magically brings out good spirits.

Some events had already been scheduled for indoor venues, such as the château and the Protestant Temple.

This particular youth group, getting ready to assemble for the parade, was dressed in peasant style.

The little parade had a little lead car - red, of course - a good Swiss color.

The uniforms of the first marching band were also red.

The first choral group sang a medley of hymns in front of the impromptu reviewing stand before continuing.

Then the full youth group marched by, enjoying themselves in spite of the dampness, and waving to an appreciative audience whose apartment windows provided views of the festivities.

This group was dressed in traditional Swiss festival costume, although the umbrellas aren't usually part of the costume.

Then came the second marching band, this one uniformed in blue.  I got a kick out of a couple marchers who managed to use their digital cameras to get shots of themselves playing, but my reactions were not quick enough to catch them in the act..

There were several other groups that participated in the little parade, but the photos I've posted give an idea of what was happening.  The finale consisted of a cart of people holding flags for each of the communes whose choral groups were participating in the giron.

By that time, the staunch flagholders were getting pretty soggy.   Festivals truly are much more fun in the sun!