Since 2014, Saanen's village street has been car-free. On Saturday, 6 June, the village will celebrate this milestone with Zäme dür Saane (“Together Through Saanen”), a community event centred around a giant open-air banquet stretching through the heart of the village.

The idea behind the event is to create a Grande Tavola – a long communal table where residents, guests and business owners can come together, share a meal and celebrate village life. At the same time, the organisers hope to showcase the vitality of Saanen's local economy and highlight the wide range of independent shops, businesses and services that give the village its distinctive character.

"Saanen has a great deal to offer both locals and visitors," says the organising committee. "With its many small businesses and a selection of shops that differs from neighbouring Gstaad, the village has its own unique identity."

From 11am, the village street will be transformed into a giant dining table with around 100 festival benches, decorated with creative table settings. A communal apéritif will be served at 11.30am, followed by lunch, live music and open seating from 12pm to 4pm.

Residents, guests and friends of Saanen are invited to eat, socialise and enjoy the village atmosphere. From around 1pm, a roaming band will make its way through the village, while a fashion show on Sanonaplatz at 3pm will provide another highlight of the afternoon. From 4pm onwards, rock ’n’ roll party band The Poorboys will keep the celebrations going.

Local businesses take centre stage
Saanen's local businesses will play a key role throughout the day. Shops, offices and other enterprises will host special activities, competitions and culinary offerings while giving visitors an insight into their work and services.

The event is intended as both a celebration and an invitation to discover what lies behind the shopfronts and office doors of the village. Organisers hope it will encourage visitors to explore Saanen's diverse business community and strengthen connections between residents, guests and local entrepreneurs.

Practical Information
Zäme dür Saane is designed as a family-friendly event. Alongside the communal banquet, there will be a variety of activities throughout the day to keep younger visitors entertained, making it an ideal outing for families with children.

Visitors arriving by car are advised to follow the event signage and parking instructions on the day.

The celebration will take place regardless of the weather. In the event of rain, a large tent will be erected stretching from the Landhaus to the village square, ensuring that guests can continue to enjoy the festivities in comfort.

The organisers are looking forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces and invite everyone to come together and celebrate village life — zäme dür Saane.

by Jeanette Wichmann | Illustration by Theres Rütschi