Ohio Swiss Festival unveils 3-day schedule
The Ohio Swiss Festival Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 draws a crowd to Sugarcreek. The committee has created a full slate of activities for children and adults, like the grand parade.
The Ohio Swiss Festival will return from a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
There is never a lack of activity at the Ohio Swiss Festival, and it will kick off with the Kiddie Parade on Friday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. The parade includes awards for categories such as Smallest Pet and Best-dressed Swiss Boy and Girl.
The Grand Parade will start marching down Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. This time-honored tradition that dates back to the beginning of the festival features floats, marching bands, fancy cars and royalty from across Ohio. Kids will want to make sure they bring a bag when parade participants start to make it rain candy, another traditional favorite of this event.
Two of Little Switzerland’s staples come together at the fire station, where the wine and cheese area provide award-winning samples from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Patrons are invited to sample while enjoying live music.
The craft beer tent will be open Friday and Saturday from 3-9:30 p.m., with samples from local breweries featured along with live music. The tent will be in the parking lot in front of The Brick Wall Sculpture on the corner of Main Street and Broadway. Tasting tickets will be sold at the entrance, and attendees must be at least 21 years old to enter. Photo ID must be presented before entering.
The Cheese Chase will take place Saturday. Runners and walkers are invited to participate in the 5k and 10k events. The 5k run/walk course will take participants through the village while the 10k will usher runners through the village and into the countryside. For those just looking for a shorter race, a 1-mile fun run/walk is available. For more race information including registration, visit ohiochallengeseries.enmotive.com/events/register/2021-ohio-swiss-festival-cheese-chase.
Contests are everywhere during the three days, beginning Thursday, Sept. 30 with the Little Swiss Miss 2022 Contest in the pavilion on the main grounds. That will be immediately followed by the crowning of new royalty at the Ohio Swiss Festival Queen Contest at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Oct. 1, one of the premier events will take place on the main grounds, where strong men and women will hoist a giant rock on their chest or shoulders and give it a heave during the Steinstossen event at the throwing pit.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, there will be a yodeling contest and Swiss costume contest at the Main Street stage, with more Steinstossen taking place in competitions at 4:30 and 7 p.m.
For the kids there will be a kiddie tractor pull and a Big Wheel race.
There also will be a large dose of entertainment throughout the three days, beginning Thursday with The Moonlytzers performing at 7:30 p.m. in the pavilion stage. Friday’s live music in the pavilion will feature Joey Tomsick and the Shotskis at 1 and 5 p.m., and Frank Maverick will perform at 3 and 7 p.m.
At the wine area in the fire station, The Lovedays will perform at 1 p.m., with the Brothers Band taking the stage at 5 p.m., and on the main stage on Main Street, the Garaway Band will perform at 12:10 p.m. The Garaway High School Alphorns will play at 1:45 p.m., and Nashville recording artist Dustin Kines will take the stage at 4:30 p.m.
The hits will keep coming Saturday with Joey Tomsick and the Shotskis playing at the pavilion at noon, followed by Frank Maverick at 2:30 p.m., Alphorn Gruzie performing with Dave Sabatka at 4:45 p.m. and Sugarcreek’s own Minus taking the stage at 6 p.m.
Alphorn Gruzie with Dave Sabatka will join the giant cuckoo clock for a 3:30 p.m. performance, with Beach City’s own Powerplay performing at 5 p.m.
At the wine tent, Ed’s Acoustic Thingy will be live at 1 p.m., and The Lovedays will return to perform at 5 p.m.
For a complete schedule and a map layout of all the festival events and activities, visit www.ohioswissfestival.com/schedule.html.