Fasnacht, the pre-Lenten celebration, returns to Helvetia

By Vanta Coda III, RealWV

Helvetia’s celebration of Fasnacht is a pre-Lenten tradition that occurs on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. This fundraising-event attracts thousands of visitors to the small Randolph County town each year, and provides financial support to the Helvetia Restoration and Preservation Organization.

Known for its Swiss and German cultural roots, Helvetia welcomes visitors from all walks of life, who don carnival-like costumes for an evening filled with delicious food, music, cultural activities, and the ceremonial burning of “Old Man Winter,” symbolizing the end of the frigid season.

**Jill Zurbuch, the creator of the 2024 and 2025 ‘Old Man Winter’ effigies, showcases the construction of one of the many masks in her family’s workshop.**

“These past two Old Man Winters have had a theme with them,” said Jill Zurbach, the creator of both the 2024 and 2025 ‘Old Man Winter’ effigies. “Last year it was Old Man Winter skiing because we enjoy skiing, this year its an Alp man with his Alp horn.”

**Lucas Smith stands in front of Helvetia Star Band Hall, showing off his Fallout 76-inspired costume.**

Event attendee Lucas Smith modeled his costume after the recently-released video game “Fallout 76.” The game includes an “open-world” map of West Virginia, featuring the Town of Helvetia.

To learn more about Helvetia, visit the Helvetia Preservation and Restoration Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/HelvetiaRestoration/.