If you are doing well, so are we

The eighth Baar Small and Medium-sized Business Fair came to an end on Sunday after three-days in which no fewer than 94 businesses took part.

Opening the fair, which takes place every three years, was new mayor Walter Lipp. He welcomed exhibitors and visitors to the Waldmanhalle, adjacent gymnasia and marquees, by saying that such businesses were the backbone of the municipality. “If you are doing fine, then so are we,” he said.

Among the visitors were Benjamin Appli and Vivienne Lang, who were particularly interested in the special exhibition organised by the local Trades’ Association and the municipality, entitled “We are Baar”. This showed how active it is, with all sorts of photographs on display, depicting, for example, Fasnacht celebrations, football and street-hockey clubs. “We always enjoy the carnival processions and watch the occasional hockey match”, said Lang, as Appli added, “We are intent on not missing anything here. What is also good is that the exhibitors are not too pushy.”

Among the exhibitors were farmers, brewers and a butcher, showing apprentices how to cut meat. As for eateries there were Thai, Italian and Swiss ones, and the opportunity to try different types of schnapps.

Local farmers had their own area at the fair, where Benjamin Langenegger of the mixed Matthof farm was only too pleased to be able to speak with visitors.  “Without farmers there is no trade,” he said, as he pointed out the advantages of the drinking water initiative and political aspects of being a farmer.

Also represented was the innovative Data Baar company, which is able to look back on its 50-year involvement in the telecommunications industry. Its managing director, Diana Blank, the daughter of its founder, mentioned how the company laid the glass fibre cables in1998 when Baar became the first municipality to have cable TV.

Naturally children were not overlooked; they were able to enjoy a bouncy castle and painting area. And the Dixie Band Deutz provided musical entertainment. As mentioned, the occasion was rounded off on Sunday evening with a rousing performance of yodelling.