The festivities start on 23rd June after dusk with the lighting of the fires of Sankt Johanz. Every district in the town, one after the other, lights its own enormous bonfire, left to burn out completely. The inhabitants in the various villages then celebrate with a toast and “spisie” (typical snacks) awaiting the following day, the day of the Patron Saint.
The Saint’s Day begins with a Mass, followed by a solemn procession in which many women wear traditional Walser costumes and the young folk carry a standard bearing a representation of the decapitated head of the saint. Those who turn 18 that year carry the statue, while a man of robust build carries the “great cross”. A special blessing, still very important to the locals, is then imparted to the children.
