Light Up Sugarcreek celebrates the season
The goods news, Santa Claus confirmed, is all of the children of Sugarcreek made the “nice list" this year. That should bring great relief to the kids standing in line to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus during the third annual Light Up Sugarcreek event on Saturday, Dec. 2, starting at 1 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will occupy Sugarcreek’s Christmas Cottage, where each child will get the chance to tell Santa what he or she wants for Christmas. Staying off the “naughty list” increases one’s leverage. All children also will get a candy cane and a personalized and dated Christmas ornament to take home and hang on their tree.
Santa said Sugarcreek is one of his favorite stops on his pre-Christmas tour. The village has a special place in his heart and belly.
“The Mrs. and I come incognito to the Swiss Festival every year,” he said. “It’s what helps me to keep my weight up.”
Christmastime has always been a festive time in Sugarcreek. But the village’s Christmas spirit has grown since Light Up Sugarcreek started in 2015. The event includes a day of family activities highlighted by the lighting of the town into an electrical holiday wonderland at 5:30 p.m.
“Light Up Sugarcreek is a daylong festival that will really put you in the Christmas spirit,” said Danielle Feldner, marketing administrator for the village. “We decorate the cuckoo clock with garland, bows and Christmas lights, and we string lights across Main Street and Broadway.”
Mayor Clayton Weller said the lights in Sugarcreek are special. “We display the large, old-fashioned Edison lights,” Weller said. “It creates a very old-time Christmas feel.”
For the second year Feldner said a large community Christmas tree will be lit up and decorated near the Christmas Cottage.
The festivities will include visits with Santa and horse-drawn sleigh and carriage rides from 1-5:30 p.m.
“This is the first year we have added the carriage rides,” the mayor said. “They are really fancy. The driver will be dressed in a tuxedo.”
The afternoon will feature live music, food and plenty of shopping opportunities.
“Finding perfect gifts in the shops of a small town is always exciting,” Feldner said. “Many of our merchants will offer refreshments, like popcorn, hot chocolate and wassail, a local favorite. And they will stay open late to accommodate shoppers.”
Food trucks also will offer meals and snacks.
As the sunlight fades, the evening festivities will begin. The outdoor program will start in front of the cuckoo clock at 5:30 p.m.
“We’ll have caroling, a bell choir and an inspiring message from a local pastor,” Feldner said. “Then we’ll have a candle-lighting ceremony led by a special honorary candle-lighter.”
The mayor will lead the countdown to the magical lighting of the downtown area.
“We’ll have fire pits to keep people warm,” Weller said. “People love to stand near the fire taking in the lights and the Christmas spirit. Some folks bring lawn chairs to sit near the warm fire.”
During the first two years of the event, Light Up Sugarcreek was held on the Saturday just after Thanksgiving. The event this year was moved back a week.
“So many people travel during the Thanksgiving weekend and had to miss out on the excitement,” Feldner said. “We changed the date so that as many residents as possible can participate.”
Many local businesses are running special sales during Light Up Sugarcreek. Carlisle Fabrics will have caramel corn and 10 percent off crafts and gift items, quilts and fabric not included. Esther’s Bakery has hidden a rolling pin. If you find it, you can receive $1 off a package of cookies. Be sure to try Esther’s cinnamon pinwheel samples. The Gospel Shop will have wassail samples and 20 percent off most items. Kaleidoscope Custom Goods will have select items up to 50 percent off. Village Antiques will serve free coffee and give 10 percent off purchases. The Purpose Shop will have 50 percent off all books.
For more information visit www.VillageOfSugarcreek.com.