Swiss Cheese is still king after 60 years of Ohio Swiss Festival celebrations

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • October 1, 2012
  • 454
                        
Summary: The 2012 Ohio Swiss Festival has been deemed a success by organizers. “Not many festivals can claim a 60 year track record as we have,” said festival committee chairwoman Nancy Harrison. Local residents and tourists from all over the world flock to Sugarcreek each autumn to join the Swiss heritage celebration, and did so again Sept. 26-29. Former resident Karen (Lash) Smith and her husband Wesley joked that they had come all the way from Jakarta, Indonesia to attend. The couple are missionaries there, but had arrived back in Sugarcreek for a leave just in time to attend the festival and participate in the Cheese Chase run. “We were recognized as being the runners that came the furthest,” said Karen. “It’s good to be able to be back here at this time of year for the festival, and it’s a great way to catch up with old friends.” Tourists along Main Street for the early morning flag raising and other festival activities noted that they had come from such diverse areas as northern Ohio, Georgia, Europe, and Canada. “This is our first time, and we are really excited to be here,” explained one Canadian visitor, as she queried locals about the day’s schedule of events. “Everything is just so beautiful, and the food is delicious, too. We have our Canadian blanket spread out on a bench along Main Street so we have a good spot for the Grand Parade.” Gerhart Queck of Columbus was wearing a traditional Swiss outfit, including leather lederhosen, as he sat with friend Betty Zehala, also in Swiss garb. Zehala was on hand to participate as part of the Columbus Swiss Singers, a traditional ensemble that portrays the music of the Alps and the ‘home country’ of many area residents. Accompanying the singers were a group of Swiss alphorns, their deep tones resonating through the air. Listeners could not help but pause and appreciate the sound, which is unlike that of any other musical instrument on earth. Royalty is an integral part of the Ohio Swiss Festival festivities. Crowned during the week was the 2012 Queen Tristian Hostetler, along with Little Swiss Miss Jordyn Fearon and her two attendants, Chevelle German and Marissa Blauch. The overall Grand Champion Cheesemaker crowned for most overall competition points earned during the year was Richard Guggisberg of Guggisberg Cheese, and Reserve Champion was Stanley Mullet of E.S. Steiner Cheese in Baltic. Steiner Cheese also won the Ohio Swiss Cheese Association contest. And what would the Swiss Festival be without yodeling? Veteran yodeling champion Janet Kemp of New Philadelphia won Saturday morning’s yodeling contest, taking home yet another trophy, while Esther Eicher’s rendition of a yodeling song in German gave her some stiff competition. Announcer Dick Lahm once again narrated much of the festival activities, which included a People’s Choice cheese competition and a cheese auction that raised funds for the festival coffers. Other traditional festival activities included the Steinstossen stone throwing contest, a Big Wheel contest, and of course, both the popular Friday’s Kiddie Parade and Saturday’s Antique Car and Grand parades as well as plenty of good food and wine and cheese tasting. The number one commemorative 60th anniversary plate was purchased by Harrison Auto Parts during the plate auction. “We have kept busy the entire time,” noted Trish Mascotti as she poured yet another glass of Silver Moon Winery’s best inside the fire station on Saturday evening. “It’s been non-stop all day long.” Albi Winery and Swiss Heritage Winery were also serving samples, as were area cheesemakers from Pearl Valley, Heini’s, Guggisberg, Steiner’s, and Broad Run Dairy cheese houses. A much visited spot was the display of the champion Swiss cheese blocks, where visitors could gaze at the best of the best. It has been sixty years since the very first Ohio Swiss Cheese Festival took over the streets of the village of Sugarcreek, and although many things have changed, there is much that has stayed the same. Lively polka music still dominates the festival; black and red attire paying homage to Bern, Switzerland is everywhere; and Swiss cheese reigns as king of all.


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