Bringing Back the Old Country: Ohios Swiss Festival
By Jennifer Kneuss
July 8, 2011
317
Nestled in Ohios Amish Country is a jewel of a village that speaks of the proud Swiss and German heritage of its residents. That village is Sugarcreek, named after the sweet waters of the nearby meandering stream by its founders in the early and mid 1800s, and although a quaintly charming stop for visitors to the area, Sugarcreek truly shines each fall when the Ohio Swiss Festival bursts to life in the crisp autumn air.
This years 59th annual Ohio Swiss Festival takes place from September 30 through October 1, and can boast of visitors from all over the world coming to participate in the festivities. A centerpiece for both the village and the festival is the Alpine Hills Museum and Tourist and Information Center, with three floors stacked full of interesting artifacts that tell the simple story of how the village has grown and yet retained its Old World charm.
Museum director Lowell Youngen and his staff of volunteers extend a warm welcome to all who come through the front doors beneath the Swiss chalet styled storefront on the villages Main Street, which is also the location for the festivals main stage.
We had almost 9,000 visitors who came through the museum last year, with another 3,000 who just stopped in to ask for information, says Youngen. We had visitors from all 50 states, as well as from 27 different foreign countries.
Visitors come for a very good reason. The genuineness of Sugarcreek is palatable. Everyone here loves their little village, and they are eager to share its treasures with guests. It is, truly, the Little Switzerland of Ohio, and the red flags dotted with the white crosses of the Swiss flag proudly wave alongside American flags along the streets.
Here at the Ohio Swiss Festival, authentic costumes are worn by those from 8 weeks to 80 years old. Although some costumes are replicas, many are originals that were carefully wrapped in paper and brought from the Swiss homeland by ancestors arriving on sea faring ships. The colors black and red, reminders of the canton of Berne where many of the founders originated, are everywhere at the festival. Ladies and young girls wear snug fitting black caps fringed with stiff, wide black lace or original horsehair, close fitting vests and skirts or dirndls, and white or red aprons and lacy Swiss styled blouses. Men wear lederhosen, or leather breeches, colorful shirts with intricate embroidered designs, red trimmed black jackets, and jaunty hats, often topped with a feather. Entire families wear their garb proudly, and there is even a competition to honor those who do so.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Ohio Swiss Festival is the lively music that continuously plays. Polka music fills the air, with talented accordionists leading the way as couples dance and sway to the music of the homeland for hours on end. For newcomers, many veterans are glad to help them learn the steps, and before long they, too, are gliding across the dance floor in the open air pavilion. The festival royalty, a Queen and Little Swiss Miss and their courts, sparkling tiaras replacing the customary caps, can also be seen happily dancing the steps in time to the music.
A quieter tone is heard when the traditional Swiss alphorns are played, their deep sounds bringing to mind the Swiss Alps, where they were used for centuries to call the flocks. Swiss vocal groups also bring the timeless music of the Alps to festival goers, who listen, enchanted, to their beautiful, haunting tunes.
Food reigns here. Literally thousands of pounds of Swiss cheese, made locally by artisans who have passed down the craft for generations, is the standby, and is sold along with locally produced wines in the Wine and Cheese tent. There are always plenty of taste tests to be had before settling on a final purchase. The festival is famous for its apple fritters, too, and guests stand a dozen deep in line for a few of the extremely tasty, piping hot treats.
A festival would not be the same without a parade, and the Ohio Swiss Festival has several. Friday afternoons Kiddie Parade is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Everything here is Swiss, and the whole town stops to watch. Dozens of children, all clad in Swiss styled costumes, march down Main Street, many pushing dolls in decorated strollers, walking dogs dressed in Swiss vests, or leading goats and donkeys in Swiss attire along beside them. That night, a Queens Parade leads to the crowning of the new royalty and Grand Champion Cheesemaker, while Saturday afternoon kicks off with the Antique Car Parade, followed by the Grand Parade, a spectacular showing of the very best of Sugarcreeks heritage complete with decorated floats, bands, horse drawn vehicles, and more Swiss costumed participants than can be imagined.
Still not convinced of the authenticity of the festival? Then step right up to the Steintossen event, a stone throwing contest with deep roots in Swiss history that occurs in three different heats on Friday night and Saturday. Both men and women compete, each lifting a 138 or75 pound stone, respectively, over their heads before heaving it as far as they can. The Steintossen is held just as it was in the Alps during Swiss mountain festivals as early as the 13th century. Adding more authenticity is the yodeling contest, where the melodic strains of participants using only their voice as their instrument trill out delightfully entertaining notes.
The Ohio Swiss Festival, although dedicated to preserving and showcasing its Swiss history, is also about having fun, and plenty of it! There are traditional carnival rides and games to delight and thrill, a 5K run, Big Wheel races, and even a Swiss cheese eating contest and other surprises mixed in with the celebration of culture and heritage.
The Ohio Swiss Festival is truly like no other. Join in, and experience the authenticity – and fun - for yourself!
