Light-up Sugarcreek returning with new features
SUGARCREEK (WJER) (Dec. 6, 2024) – A holiday tradition in the village is growing.
Marketing Director Lynn Dessecker says Saturday’s holiday light-up event downtown will have all of the usual festivities, plus a parade along Main Street and an ugly sweater contest.
“This is actually my first year doing this, and I was just trying to add some things to make it a little bit better.”
It’s happening from 4 to 7 pm with the parade stepping off at 4:30 from First Mennonite Church. As always, there will be free refreshments and sleigh rides around downtown, performances from student singers and musicians, and a candle-lighting ceremony in front of the cuckoo clock.
“To me, it has a very Hallmark feel with everyone coming together. We’ve had a lot of donations from the businesses to help us pull this off, so it’s very community driven.”
Many downtown businesses will also offer goodies and holiday-themed activities.
“The bulk food store will be offering some sweet treats. There is a live nativity scene at Sweetwater Farms. They will have a food truck. They will have singing. The library is also participating as well as the Age of Steam Roundhouse… Next year, I would like to incorporate maybe wagon rides back and forth from Sweetwater to downtown, just so it’ll be easier to get around to see everything.”
This year’s honorary candle-lighter is retired Garaway band director Fred Welsch. Dessecker says they will also acknowledge the two businesses that donated labor and materials to repair the roof of the cuckoo clock.
New, unwrapped toys will also be accepted for the local Share-A-Christmas program. Donors will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a sled.