Windy Sechseläuten 2024 Böögg only explodes in Heiden AR after more than 31 minutes

The head of the Böögg fell from the woodpile to the ground in Heiden AR on Saturday evening. The head exploded after 31 minutes and 28 seconds. If you believe the saying, summer tends to be cloudy and wet.

The snowman was banned in Heiden because it had previously been too windy at Sechseläuten in Zurich.

The fact that it took a long time for the snowman's head to explode was probably partly due to the rain. Heavy rainfall had already started in Heiden in the afternoon. The wood pile below the Böögg and the snowman were soaked by the rain, said Böögg builder Lukas Meier in the live broadcast on "Telezüri" and "TVO".

Natalie Rickli, President of the Government of Zurich, and Yves Noël Balmer, Mayor of Ausserrhoden, were responsible for lighting the bonfire. While the woodpile underneath the Böögg burned relatively quickly despite the wet conditions, it took a relatively long time for the shoulders and head of the snowman to really catch fire. In the end, the Böögg's head fell to the ground.

The fact that it took over 31 minutes for it to explode there does not bode well for the summer, according to folklore. The saying goes: the faster the Böögg's head explodes, the better the season will be. Last year, it took 57 minutes until the "big bang". Longer than ever before. Bad weather was actually expected. However, according to the Federal Office of Meteorology, it ended up being one of the warmest summers since measurements began in 1864.

5000 spectators

According to an initial estimate, around 5,000 spectators watched the "Böögg-Aazönde" in Heiden, as David Scarano, Head of Communications for the Canton of Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, told the Keystone-SDA news agency on request. The organizers also announced in advance that around 1500 members of Zurich guilds were expected. Among other things, spectators were able to see how the Zurich guildsmen rode around the Böögg on colorful hobby horses instead of real horses due to the steep terrain.

These were toy horses that had already been used as a substitute for horses at Sechseläuten in 1965. At that time, the use of real horses was not possible due to the rampant horse flu.

The fact that the Böögg was not burned as usual at the "real Sechseläuten" in Zurich was due to gusts of wind in April. These prevented the woodpile below the snowman from being lit. As a result, it was decided that the guest canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden would have its turn and the Böögg would be burned in Heiden.

Snowman with bow tie and suspenders

As a tribute to Appenzell Ausserrhoden, the snowman wore a bow tie with a black bear and suspenders this year. He also had a Lindauerli, a decorated pipe, in his mouth.

The area with market stalls and eight food stations in Heiden stretched from Dunantplatz to Kirchplatz. The first bands performed as early as 2 pm.

Sechseläuten is a traditional Zurich spring festival that heralds the start of summer. It is very rare for the festival to be held outside the city on the Limmat. It is organized by the Central Committee of the Zurich Guilds (ZZZ). The parade of Zurich guilds through the city center is also part of the festival.