Sugarcreek lights up downtown to celebrate community
Christmas sleigh rides were part of a lot of visiting families agenda during the Light Up Sugarcreek event on Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Sugarcreek.
It felt like the entire village and plenty of visitors united around the main square to celebrate Light Up Sugarcreek on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The event was designed for the entire family and included face painting and games for the kids, a bounce house, free sleigh rides, free ice cream from Esther’s Bakery, caricature drawings, free cookies, hot chocolate, s’mores and hot dogs, and an ugly sweater contest.
Other entertainment included a Christmas parade that rolled down Main Street, a prayer tent hosted by Ragersville Zion United Church of Christ, a live nativity at Sweetwater, and visitors were invited to visit the Sugarcreek Train Depot, where the movie “Polar Express” was shown.
There also were musical performances from the Garaway High School choir and band and music from Bob Grossenbacher, and no Christmas celebration would be complete without Old Kris Kringle and Mrs. Claus stopping by to take photos with the kids and hear their Christmas wishes.
Sugarcreek Mayor Walt Wilson provided the welcome to visitors. Then as the pink, orange and blue sky gave way to the night, everyone celebrated the official lighting of the Christmas tree.
“It’s just a fun Christmas celebration for our community, and it’s something special where we can gather together and simply celebrate being part of the community at Christmas,” said Bev Keller, Sugarcreek Business Association executive vice president. “Just a beautiful night — a cold night but a beautiful one because we could share it together.”
In addition to all the activity, the SBA also celebrated another occasion, the naming of its community awards including Tango and Gatti as the Small Business of the Year.
Tango and Gatti was honored because of its commitment to the community, recently providing the manpower to repair the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, sponsoring the craft tent at this year’s Swiss Festival, and playing a role in the community’s effort to provide aid for those hammered by the hurricanes in North Carolina and Tennessee.
ProVia was the Large Business of the Year and provided material for the repairs on the cuckoo clock and was instrumental in guiding people into the heart of Sugarcreek when state Route 39 was closed this summer.
In addition, its staff and leadership team have sponsored events including the back-to-school bash and bicycle safety courses.
Finally, the SBA showed its appreciation for longtime citizen and former Garaway Music Director Fred Welsh as the official ceremony candlelighter.
“Fred has done so much for our community. He deserves to be recognized for everything he has done for Sugarcreek over the decades,” Keller said.
Welsh served as the Garaway band director from 1966-89, created the Garaway Alumni Band, is a skilled alphorn player who has passed down that talent to numerous students, was a former Sugarcreek Council member, served on the Ohio Swiss Festival Committee for many years and was an honored recipient of the Zeisburger Heckewelder Award from Tuscarawas County Historical Society, among his many contributions to the village and area.
One other recognition was created this year out of necessity.
Patti Hixenbaugh was honored with the Life Saver Award, an honor she didn’t know was coming.
As the manager of the Garaway Senior Center, Keller said Hixenbaugh has a heart for others, but on one particular occasion, she proved to be a true lifesaver.
“Patti was thrust into a situation out of the blue this past year in which she was forced to perform CPR, and she simply stepped up and did something totally amazing, and that person is still with us today,” Keller said. “Not only did she perform CPR, she saved that person’s life. She is a hero, although this humble servant of God doesn’t see herself that way.”
Hixenbaugh will soon be bestowed an even higher honor, the American Red Cross’ Heartsaver Hero Award.
To make sure Hixenbaugh was present for the evening, the event committee invited her to serve as one of the ugly sweater contest judges. In addition, the committee also secretly invited all of her family to join in the ceremony, and they were able to keep it a secret until the honor was bestowed.
“We were excited to share all of our award winners because we could celebrate them for the many ways they have given back to the community,” Keller said.
In creating this event, many area businesses got behind the effort and provided donations.
“We are extremely grateful to our local businesses who continue to graciously support our effort,” Keller said.
That support led to a night of celebration that sent everyone home with a warm heart on a crisp winter evening.