Families of Swiss heritage, and those simply craving an immersion in the culture, are invited to Sangerfest 2014, a festival from July 10-13 in Bonney Lake and Tacoma.

The Pacific Coast Swiss Singing and Yodeling Festival is held every three years by the United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast. The society is comprised of nine clubs dedicated to the practice and preservation of traditional swiss singing. The first festival was held in 1935 but a few years were missed due to societal struggles during World War II. The 2014 production marks the 28th year the society has gathered to sing and yodel together.

Each celebration is hosted by one of the society’s active clubs. The Swiss Sportsman’s Club of Tacoma, which calls Bonney Lake’s Swiss Park home, has prepared for its turn to host the festival for the last three years. Participating choirs practice their acts for a minimum of two years.

Greg Vesey, a Bonney Lake resident and owner of Greg Vesey Insurance in Enumclaw, is the 2014 festival president, a job that coincides with his title as society president.

Vesey’s wife of 44 years, is 100 percent Swiss but Vesey himself is not, he said. He grew up in Buckley, sang most of his life and joined the sportman’s men’s choir, Mannerchor Edelweiss, in 1986.

“I enjoy the music and participating as a singer but I also enjoy the cultural heritage,” he said. “Swiss wrestling, dancing and alphorn blowing are all ethnic traditions. I’m of German descent but I feel like an adopted Swiss. It’s just a wonderful group of people to socialize and be associated with.”

Vesey said festival goers will enjoy a large amount of pageantry, including an introduction of flags, banquets, dances, cruise for singers, experts in yodeling and alphorn, closing ceremonies. Several concerts will be included during the four days of Swiss singing and celebrating but the highlight of the festival is Friday’s grand concert, Vesey said. There will be 250 singers and a children’s choir will perform, with portions accompanied by students from Emerald Ridge High School.

Most of the festival will be held at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma but a folkfest will take place Saturday, July 12 at Swiss Park in Bonney Lake.

Visit the festival website for tickets and additional information. All inclusive packages are available but single-event tickets may be obtained for those wishing to attend individual festival events. Prices vary.