Sugarcreek to honor heritage with Swiss National Day celebration

Sugarcreek has long been known as The Little Switzerland of Ohio. Last year the village brought itself another step closer to its namesake, celebrating Swiss National Day.“Swiss National Day is sort of Switzerland’s version of the American Fourth of July,” Sugarcreek Mayor Clayton Weller said. “Last year we celebrated it on Aug. 1, which is the same day as in Switzerland. We had fireworks and a big day, and it was really popular. We’re happy to do it again this year.” This year’s Swiss National Day in Sugarcreek will be held Aug. 6 in the village and will feature a new Art Walk, which pairs more than 20 area artists with local businesses and is a creation of the Sugarcreek Arts Council. The Art Walk is from noon until 5 p.m.Arts Council member and Art Walk organizer Bertie Showers said the artists will be inside and outside the buildings along Main Street and Broadway downtown. “The variety of artists is exceptional,” she said. “Metalworkers, jewelry, painting, chain saw carvings, sculpture, photography, just abut any artist medium you might imagine.”Showers said many of the works will be available for sale. “Some will be creating some of their artwork that day and offering it for sale. There will be a caricaturist as well.” Artists from Steubenville, Dundee, Millersburg, Bolivar, Beach City and other areas will participate in the Swiss National Day Art Walk. Showers said two of the artists exhibiting work in the Art walk, Twila Christner and Barbara Shenamen, have overcome physical disabilities to pursue their passion for artistic expression. “Just about every business downtown will be hosting an artist,” Showers said.Music will be provided by The Pine Hill Pickers from noon until 2 p.m. and by Josh Compton from 2:30-4:30 p.m.A donation luncheon will be provided at the First Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Showers said. Later in the day the Run for Gnome 3K race gets underway at 7 p.m., Sugarcreek marketing director Danielle Feldner said. “It’s designed to bring the community together to benefit a local family in need.” This year’s beneficiary of the run is Bentley Yoder.After the race a party begins at the field across from Park Street Pizza. Feldner said two bands will perform, The Kodachrome Babies and Valley Town. “There will be a lot of food vendors there, face painting and fun,” Feldner said. The evening will be capped off by fireworks beginning at dusk at the Garaway football field. The Swiss National Day Celebration in Sugarcreek will offer a full day of activities, art and good causes for visitors. Swiss National Day has been observed in Switzerland since 1891 and marks the alliance of three districts in 1291, which evolved into the modern Swiss nation over the following 500 years. The day is marked by local, rather than nationwide celebrations, with communities creating their own observations based on local history. More information on Swiss National Day in Sugarcreek may be found at www.visitsugarcreek.com.