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Support for Nutcracker Village strong

NUTCRACKER SEASON — City leaders on Thursday celebrated the ongoing support the Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market receives from Trinity Health System. On hand at a press conference at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse and Renaissance Coffee Roasting Co. in Steubenville were, from left, Trinity Foundation Manager Catherine Poludniak; Trinity Marketing Manager Laurie Labishak; nutcracker artist Therese Nelson; Judy Bratten, executive director of Historic Fort Steuben; Mayor Jerry Barilla; and entrepreneur Mark Nelson. Trinity is presenting sponsor of the Nutcracker Village and Advent Market, an idea that originated with Barilla and Nelson. -- Limda Harris

STEUBENVILLE — Trinity Health System’s ongoing support of the city’s Nutcracker Village and Advent Market is crucial, Historic Fort Steuben Executive Director Judy Bratten said.

Bratten said Trinity, presenting sponsor of the events, is in the third year of its five-year funding commitment, adding she’s “very grateful to have them. They’re a wonderful asset to our community.”

Nutcracker Village and Advent Market opens Nov. 20 in Fort Steuben Park.

Bratten said it’s wonderful to see businesses, nonprofits and private individuals “coming together” to support the projects, saying, “times are a little hard in the community financially, and they’re sacrificing to donate to something like this.”

“It shows their commitment to making this community a happier, joyful place,” Bratten said at a Thursday press conference held at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse and Renaissance Coffee Roasting Co.

“It’s so encouraging and hopeful, at a time when there seems to be so much divisiveness in society. This brings all parts of society together. People enjoy it so much, they forget all their troubles.”

Matt Grimshaw, regional president and CEO of Trinity Health System, said it’s “been exciting to watch it grow and see the delight it brings visitors.”

Trinity Marketing Director Laurie Labishak said the $5,000-a-year contribution is a no-brainer.

“This is the community we serve. People look to us for their health care,” she said. “It’s important to us to give back to them because they have supported us for so long.”

The Nutcracker Village and Advent Market is a joint project of Historic Fort Steuben and Nelson’s of Steubenville “to revive the downtown and to bring joy and pride to the community,” Bratten said, noting the event has brought thousands of visitors into the downtown area — upward of 35,000 last year, and 20,000 or more the year before.

Bratten said through Trinity and the other major sponsors, including fundraiser Suzanne Kresser, “we have seen an amazing outpouring of donations from businesses, organizations and individuals. These supporters and volunteers appreciate how the Nutcracker Village has brought such joy to the community. Because of their contributions, we can offer most of this event free to the public.”

Bratten said other major sponsors include the Herald-Star, Franciscan University of Steubenville, DeeJays BBQ Ribs & Grill, M&M True Value, Husqvarna, Tri-State Printing and WTOV-TV.

This year, National Colloid will sponsor the Land Office Christmas Tree; EZ-to-Use, the 19th Century Christmas in the Land Office; Cattrell Cos., the nativity; Barium & Chemicals, petting zoo; Tri-State Financial Services, Holly Trolley; and Allen Oil/Quik Mart, hay rides.

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