Has anyone been to the annual Wengen Chästeilet cheese share festival held every September?

My husband and I went several years ago, here is how I remember it, but if WengenK sees this post I am sure they can provide more accurate information.

Unless we missed it, there were no cows (cow parade with flowers and all), it was more a chance to eat some traditional food like Raclette cheese melted on bread, sausages like Cervelat, that kind of thing. Seating at long tables, no reservations, just grab a free space. Hearing people talk around us we observed that they were mostly Swiss, and not that many tourists, in this way it does have a local feel to it.

I recall there being live music and also Trychlern - people walking and ringing extremely large cow bells. There was a small market and of course the chance to buy cheese.

I would say that this is overall a smaller, local event that can be fun to experience.

If you especially want to see cows, and don’t mind making a day trip of it, this is happening during your dates, it is a very big, day long event. I have gone several times and think it is a very unique experience.

https://www.schuepfheim-tourismus.ch/aktuelles-events/entlebucher-alpabfahrt/

The cows will have come down by then. The cow parades are different event, and they are not generally know in advance until the last moment, as the farmers like to keep the cows up as long as practical.
The Chästeilet takes place in a tent on the ice skating ring, behind the tourist office. There is music, food, entertainment, but nothing that requires (or even offers) reservations. You just turn up. I usually just go for a an hour or so to say hi the the people I know, and buy some cheese. But then for me there is nothing new to Trychler, and I have heard the entire repertoire of the local band several times over already.

September is however a nice time to come. With a good chance of nice weather, everything still open, and lots of things to do and see.

SwissNomad and WengenK, thank you! Your input, plus the info on the event's website gives good reason to look forward to it as I'm such a fan of Swiss tradition. (I even follow the Switzerland equivalent of the Blue Angels on Instagram) :)

SwissNomad, coincidentally, I was thinking of going to the Entlebuch Alpabfahrt cow festival on that Saturday, and had just looked again on the SBB app to anticipate travel time. Your mentioning and encouraging it has helped to realize it would be worth the nearly 4 hour train ride each direction (with multiple changes). I can catch a very early train and have lots of time there.

2 years ago I actually planned for and went to the cow descent parade and Farmer's Market in Urnasch just outside Appenzell. What a joy to be part of that! I probably was one of the few there that wasn't Swiss as it appeared to be an annual hoot for all the locals with a band, pig races, lots of food, local wares and of course the families bringing their cows and goats through the village. Would recommend for anyone.

Wengen to Schüpfheim is 2 h 48 min. Still a long time, but at least not four hours. :-)

At the moment there is a problem with the train tracks on the journey toward Lauterbrunnen. If you look at the route using today’s date it is showing some ridiculous diversion over Männlichen - Grindelwald - Interlaken and coming up with a 4 hr journey. (Note: there are replacement busses running, no need to go over Männlichen, just incase anyone is reading this and heading there in the next week or so - all is well, just a bus instead of the train for a small part of the journey).

Change the date in SBB to Sept. 27 and you will get the proper route and times.

If you enjoyed the event in Urnäsch I think you will like this one as well!

SwissNomad: Good catch! I had actually put in the correct date, but had typo-ed the destination! (Schupfart)! :) MUCH better travel time. You're a star. Thank you.

The problem is that the interruption of the line is unexpected. The substitute bus service works, but has not made it to the official timetable yet, so that only shows cancelled trains to Lauterbrunnen and hence gives you that long detour.
But that will be fixed eventually.

I have been to both the Schuepfheim and Lenk im Simmental Alpabfahrt in the last few years. Both very nice, just different.
I actually liked Lenk a bit better (smaller town/ town square-more intimate), but will have to research this year's date. Schuepfheim had more booths for purchasing things.
You can't go wrong!

wengenK Again, thanks! (Looks like they anticipate resumption of regular transport in about a week).

wynoka54 Thank you! I just looked up the Alplerfest in Lenk and this year it is on 11 October. Sounds and looks wonderful also. Something to add to the "perhaps next-time" file.

What a treat it was to accidentally be in Wengen in Sept. for this festival! These random surprises are the best! The cheese, the music, the beer, the various contests…what a celebration! We just walked right in!

Looks like they anticipate resumption of regular transport in about a week.

Yes, they are working like crazy to get that embankment safed. The railway must be open before the Jungfrau Marathon (in less than two weeks) or they will have a huge issue.

had typo-ed the destination! (Schupfart)!

Ah, that would do it! ;-)

The problem is that the interruption of the line is unexpected. The substitute bus service works, but has not made it to the official timetable yet, so that only shows cancelled trains to Lauterbrunnen and hence gives you that long detour.

That makes sense. I was there yesterday and at first somewhat confused, but everything worked out well…as usual!