They are on fire for the big party

The Youth Festival has been a tradition in Rheinfelden for many decades. It is a festival by and for the children and young people. One of the highlights is the parade, in which all classes from kindergarten to fourth grade take part. In the past, the girls wore white skirts and flower wreaths for this occasion, while the boys wore suits and ties, sometimes with flower hats on their backs.

For many years now, a festive theme has determined the theme for the costumes, which are made by the teachers themselves with the schoolchildren - with great dedication and attention to detail.

It is important and very valuable that the teachers put their heart and soul into it and "look forward" to the big day with the children during the preparation time. To the day when they can finally show their families, godparents and godfathers what they have so diligently sewn, crafted, glued and created in the weeks before.

Fire and flame

"Mir sind Füür und Flamme" is the motto of this year's youth festival. We think that fits well. Because even though we've been involved for a long time, we're always on fire for this big festival.

We start our preparations the year before. We meet regularly with the youth festival committee, which includes representatives from each school district, and define the framework for the big festival.

We also give a lot of thought to the motto. We always suggest three themes, one of which is finally chosen.

The school administration has a lot of administrative and coordination work to do months before the festival. All applications for the various permits have to be submitted in good time, information has to flow in all directions, the finances have to be in order and much more.

The "big ones" prepare the stands

While the kindergarten and first to fourth graders make their costumes and props, the older kids (fifth and sixth graders and upper school) prepare around 50 game booths. At these stands, around the Hugenfeld school building and the main square, children of all ages and their guests can then enjoy the afternoon with lots of fun and games.

For decades, the schjkk association has also made a very valuable contribution to the success of the youth festival. Liliane Regitz and her team organize unforgettable experiences on the roof of the Rheinparking.

One highlight follows the next: from the "Water Worlds" obstacle course, bull riding, graffiti workshop, power rafting with the Rheinfelden pontooners, a BMX freestyle show, a fun and games activity with the youth fire department to the chill zone with barbecue, everything and much more is included. The "hot phase" for the preparations for the youth festival also begins very early in the year at the schjkk and there is a lot to do before the varied programme with the numerous attractions is organized and coordinated.

You never have so many pupils at once

Even after so many years, there is still something magical about the Youth Festival for us organizers. We do everything we can to ensure that the 1,800 schoolchildren and their friends and families have an unforgettable day. The chance to have so many Rheinfeld children "in one place" is something you never get anywhere else. We therefore believe that the Youth Festival is also an ideal opportunity for the clubs to attract the attention of the many children and their families.

Soon it will start

It's only a few days and hours away and the time has come again. On Saturday, June 21, shortly before 11 a.m., the impressive ringing of the bells will start and then the big colorful parade with around 800 happy children and their teachers will finally begin.

By the time the children proudly parade through the flag-draped Marktgasse with their colorful costumes and funny props, even those who weren't so involved before will probably be on fire.

We, who have been working on the youth festival for months, have felt the fire in us for a long time. Next Saturday it will burn a few steps hotter when we can look the many happy children in the face. Then we will all be - in keeping with this year's motto - "on fire" and burning for our youth festival.

All information about the Youth Festival on June 21, 2025 at www.jufe.ch.

Heidi Federli-Bielser is head of the Rheinfelden school administration.

Liliane Regitz is Managing Director of the schjkk association (supporting association for school, youth and children's culture in Rheinfelden).