Olma draws 335,000 visitors as two Federal Council members attend

Some 335,000 people visited the 83rd Olma, an 11-day fair for agriculture and food in eastern Switzerland, SRF reported. Organisers said 650 exhibitors took part.

For the first time, two members of the Federal Council attended the same Olma: President Guy Parmelin at the opening and Karin Keller-Sutter on the day dedicated to guest canton Schwyz. Parmelin described the fair as “almost a Switzerland in miniature”. Army chief Benedikt Roos also attended Army Day.

Organisers counted the Swiss Army’s special exhibition among the highlights, saying it addressed a socially relevant issue and brought the military and public into conversation. Some politicians questioned the exhibition’s scale, cost and game-like character.

Schwyz presented itself under the motto “Schwyz delivers”. Its special exhibition featured a miniature version of the Hölloch and film footage about the canton. Around 1,300 people from Schwyz took part in the traditional Olma parade, which drew about 25,000 spectators along its route through central St Gallen.

Olma Messen and its security partners, including St Gallen city police, gave an overall positive assessment. Officers were called out more often over aggressive behaviour during the 11 days, but there were mostly no major incidents. In one altercation, a man suffered a skull fracture. Police intervened 21 times over aggressive behaviour and 14 times over physical altercations.

Authorities reported more property damage at the fairgrounds, with unknown perpetrators causing damage worth tens of thousands of francs. They overturned an ice cream stand and cut the electricity supply to two others, forcing the disposal of food that had not been kept chilled.

Fines for public urination fell to 11, from 46 the previous year. Traffic in nearby neighbourhoods remained calm despite heavily used car parks, police said. Officers issued 295 parking fines.