The farmers drive their cattle home: a reason to celebrate! Well-nourished alpine cattle, thickly woolly sheep, and "Goaße," meaning goats, leave the alpine pasture season behind, and the proud farmers are happy to show off their livestock.
For a long time, the Almabtrieb was considered a thanksgiving that the alpine life passed without accidents or losses and that the cattle found ample fodder. That's why the cows received elaborate decorations made of alpine roses, silver thistles, and mountain pines. This special custom has been preserved to this day, with the leading "Kranzkuh" (wreath cow) heading the procession, adorned with a headpiece that usually features a cross and a mirror. The cross invoked the protection of the Creator, while the mirror was meant to ward off evil spirits. This tradition has been maintained to the present day, diligently upheld by farmers for generations.
On Sunday around noon, the herders, alpine dairymen, and farmers then drive their young cattle, calves, heifers, or even dairy cows, usually all beautifully plump and content. As they go, they toss Topfnudeln (a type of curd dumpling) into the applauding crowd along the roadside, who eagerly await them and scramble for every single dumpling... These fun balls of cream, flour, milk, salt, and plenty of butter taste exactly like these ingredients, and the connoisseur should wash them down with a shot of schnapps, cheerfully served by the dairyman...
The farmers celebrate a "Kiekemma" with music, traditional folk musicians ("Wurzelmusikanten"), and "Schuhplattler" dancers, and the alpine kitchen prepares traditional delicacies, including Topfnudeln, Krapfen (donuts), Graukäse (grey cheese), Gerstesuppe (barley soup), and much more. Children will enjoy an extensive entertainment program, and a well-stocked lucky dip ensures beaming smiles for the winners.