For over 20 years, an event has taken place on the last Saturday in September in the small rural town of Schüpfheim, in the Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. It is an amazing event known as the Entlebucher Alpabfahrt where highly decorated cattle parade with their signature cow bells. 

As part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists press tour, I got to see the spectacle in person in 2017. We spent time with a family preparing their cattle up in the Alps before they walked the 11km down into Schüpfheim. Our minibus took us up the narrow windy road to a forest area beneath one of the Alps. When we arrived, about 20 cattle were tied to tree logs as their owners were power hosing them clean. The female family members, wearing traditional Swiss costume teamed with modern hiking boots, placed beautiful floral arrangements they had carefully prepared over the cow’s heads. 

As we snapped away at all the preparations taking place, we could hear in the distance the distinctive jangle of cow bells. Soon after that, a herd from higher up the Alp came past their contemporaries who were still getting their final touches. Led by men dressed in smart black velvet waistcoats with a red trim, the herd marched past, harness free, all obediently following the one in front. The first nine cows at the front had the most decoration, bright sunflowers covering both their head and shoulders, whilst the younger animals at the end of the procession walked with bells on. The smiles from the farmers shone with pride. 

After seeing the second herd off, we boarded our mini bus and took a shortcut down to watch the last of the parade. It was only then that we realised how many had gathered in Schüpfheim – there was an estimated 12,500 people lining the main street with 276 cattle on parade. 

It was a wonderful experience to witness this special festival seeing farmers and the general public celebrate in such a colourful and musical fashion! It made Psalm 50 verses 7 and 10 come to mind, “I am God, your God… For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” Farms are family businesses with everyone pulling their weight as there is so much to do. To see the farming families on parade in Switzerland was a very visual reminder of this and to see them supported by the local community was an uplifting experience for a farmer’s daughter to witness. 

We may not have elaborate cattle parades through our towns in Northern Ireland, but churches will make incredible efforts to mark the end of the harvest season. Our churches will reflect on all God has provided for his people. Churches will be decorated with produce from the land and the smell as you walk into meeting houses in the countryside will hit you before you take your seat! 

Some of the decorations will be noticeable outside the four walls of the church attracting greater attention in the community, perhaps even with a tractor run. Some churches will donate to local foodbanks remembering others in need and showing Christian love and compassion by doing so.

Farmers, who have once again had to battle tough weather conditions this summer which put a strain on the rate of grass growth, will be remembered in prayer and thanked for how they toil the land. 

Ultimately, our collective praise at harvest time has to go to our Creator God for how He has given us the fruit of the land for us to enjoy. As the lyrics to the popular harvest hymn, We plough the fields and scatter, remind us, 

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His love.

May we be thankful for God’s provision on the land and also for the gift of His son, Jesus, who died to save us from our sins. 

Click here for more pictures from my 2017 trip.