Light Up Sugarcreek set for Dec. 6 with parade, Santa and free family fun

Every year families all over the world gather to celebrate Christmas.

For Sugarcreek, that means celebrating as one enormous family in an event that continues to grow into something highly anticipated every first week of December.

Light Up Sugarcreek is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 6 with a start time of 4 p.m. in downtown Sugarcreek, and the lineup of family-friendly events should keep hearts joyful, even if the weather is cold and snowy.

“This event is all about family, community and giving back,” said Bev Keller, who helps organize the event. “We have so much fun, and it really feels like we have finally hit our stride with the event and made it into something special after seeing it change and evolve throughout the years.

This event has been around for decades. Keller said she can remember her days in elementary school when art teacher Sherry Crilow would have all the kids make ornaments to hang on the trees in the downtown area.

This year’s event will include sleigh rides, a visit in the workshop located near the main square from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a parade, games, free hot chocolate, coffee, hot dogs, s'mores and many other activities that hearken to the heart of the Christmas season.

In fact, nearly every aspect of this event is free to the public.

“We’ve worked hard to make this a family evening that doesn’t cost anything to enjoy,” Keller said.

In addition, the library will host its annual Christmas open house, and there will be fun at the Train Depot. Sweetwater Farms will have a live nativity, there will be live music and buckboard wagon rides, and Swiss Village Bulk Foods will offer a free charcuterie board.

Keller said the parade is something special because it creates an opportunity for businesses, families and organizations to be a part of community tradition.

“It’s a parade for everyone,” Keller said. “We’ve got someone bringing Highland cows. Last year we had a family celebrating 100 years. It’s a precious time to spend together as family and community.”

In addition, it is an opportunity to say thank-you to valued community members. This year the honorary candlelighter will be Bob Smith, owner of Smith Funeral Home. Keller said it might be easier to list the things Smith hasn’t been involved with in the community and town rather than the many ways he has been involved.

Weaver Group, which includes Weaver Barns, Weaver Furniture and Wallhouse Coffee Company, will be honored as the Organization of the Year.

In keeping true to the Swiss values and traditions, new to the event this year will be the unique Mouse and Swiss Cheese Christmas tree, which will be adorned with some new technology, along with a purple mouse in search of a tasty treat.

"Last year we had our tree decorated with ornaments from local children, and it was beautiful and wonderful, but to ask the art department to do that every year would get expensive,” Keller said. “This year we have our new display featuring the mouse and cheese.”

Keller said the committee teamed up with Garaway High School to utilize its 3D printer, and it will create the Swiss cheese cookie cutters to adorn the tree.

The ornaments will then be made with salt dough that are colored yellow to look like chunks of Swiss cheese. Once they are baked, they will be sealed and attached to ribbon and fishing line to create the Swiss cheese tree.

The mouse also will be 3D-fabricated from a company in Alaska but will make its way to Sugarcreek for the festivities. Pastor LuAnn Youngman of Ragersville Zion United Church of Christ will present the Christmas message during the evening.

“One of the neat things about this event is being able to partner with all of these different people, businesses and organizations who volunteer their time to make it special,” Keller said. “That’s part of the joy of being in the Sugarcreek community.”

There is still time to sign up for the parade, and Keller said they welcome families and businesses from outside of Sugarcreek to join them for the parade.

“We welcome all — the more the merrier,” she said. “We hope everyone comes and helps us celebrate.”

Parade lineup will begin at 3 p.m. at Sugarcreek First UCC, with the parade beginning at 4:30 p.m. To sign up for the parade, call Keller at 330-260-1248. Registration forms to participate are due no later than Friday, Nov. 28 at 4 p.m., with forms sent to The Budget, 134 Factory St. NE, Sugarcreek, OH 44681, or faxed to 330-852-4421.