Yodeling, Steinstossen and more fun things to do at the 2022 Ohio Swiss Festival

Jon Baker, The Times-Reporter
Updated ·2 min read
The annual Ohio Swiss Festival starts Thursday in Sugarcreek. Here is a scene from the 2021 festival.
The annual Ohio Swiss Festival starts Thursday in Sugarcreek. Here is a scene from the 2021 festival.

SUGARCREEK – Food, music and tossing giant stones are just some of the highlights of the annual Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek, which runs from Thursday through Saturday.

The festival celebrates the rich culture of Switzerland.

Before you go, here are some things you need to know:

How did start? The festival, which dates back to 1953, began as a way to promote the area's Swiss cheese industry, as well as the village of Sugarcreek and its Swiss heritage. The event is sponsored by the Ohio Swiss Cheese Association, Sugarcreek Business Association and the village of Sugarcreek.

More: Four will compete to be Ohio Swiss Festival Queen

More: Steintossen at the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek

What is Steintossen? The Ohio Swiss Festival has the distinction of having the longest running Steintossen (stone throwing) competition in the U.S. The event has been held annually since 1956. Steinstossen is a popular Swiss sport in which competitors throw a stone with the goal of achieving the greatest distance. Men throw a stone weighing 138 pounds and women throw a 75-pound stone. Participants have a total of five throws that they can complete throughout the festival weekend with their best being the submitted throw.

Steintossen, or stone throwing is an annual tradition at the Ohio Swiss Festival and held only in a few locations around the world. Male contestants throw a 138-pound stone, and women throw a 75-pound stone. The record for the men is held by Beaux Lenarz, formerly of Sugarcreek, set in 2005 with a throw of 14 feet, 6 inches. The women's record holder, Roberta Collins of Sandusky, threw her stone 12 feet and 8 1/4 inches.

What are the food options? The festival is a great place to go if you're looking for good food. Becky Detwiler, curator of the Alpine Hills Museum in Sugarcreek, said the event is known for its barbecue chicken and apple fritters. Stop by the fire station to sample local award-winning wine and cheese from noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A craft beer tent will be located in the parking lot in front of the brick wall sculpture at Main Street and Broadway. It will be open from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday for visitors to sample beers from local breweries.

More: 2021 Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek

Can I get my fill of polka? The Ohio Swiss Festival offers music to satisfy all tastes. The pavilion stage will feature polka music, and several different performers will be on the Main Street stage, including a Michael Stanley tribute band at 5 p.m. Saturday. Visitors can also listen to music played on alphorns, a traditional Alpine instrument, during the festival. Last year, 17 alphorns were played on the square at the same time, Detwiler said.

Morgan Schlabach (left), attendant, Madelyn Meiser 2020 OSF queen and 2022 queen Kayla Gerber were featured at the Ohio Swiss Festival.
Morgan Schlabach (left), attendant, Madelyn Meiser 2020 OSF queen and 2022 queen Kayla Gerber were featured at the Ohio Swiss Festival.

How can you celebrate Swiss heritage without yodeling? A yodeling contest, open to all ages, will be held at noon Saturday on Main Street, in conjunction with a Swiss costume contest.

Other must-see events include the 66th annual kiddie parade at 2:05 p.m. Friday on Main Street, the antique car parade at 1:50 p.m. Saturday on Main Street and the grand parade at 2 p.m. Saturday on Main Street.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Things to do at the 2022 Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek