ALIGHT WITH JOY — Individuals with WesBanco, which sponsored the 2024 Steubenville Nutcracker Village lights, flipped the switch to turn on the lights during Tuesday’s opening ceremony. From left are, back, Mark Johnson, middle, Eric Timmons and Kevin Straub and, front, Theodora Timmons and Lily Straub. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Cheers erupted from the crowd as officials flipped the switch, filling Fourth Street with light and officially opening the 2024 Steubenville Nutcracker Village.

To celebrate its 10th year, the village unveiled 10 new life-size nutcrackers during the ceremony, bringing the total to 210 lining the city streets. All nutcrackers will be on display for free through Jan. 6.

Additional music and dance acts made the opening extra special, supplementing the various cornerstone attractions — from German glühwein to a nativity creche collection — that will be offered throughout the Nutcracker Village’s remainder.

The village was created by Nelson’s of Steubenville and is displayed through the Steubenville Cultural Trust. During the opening ceremony, Cultural Trust President Mark Nelson thanked his family for their continual hard work and reflected on the village’s humble beginnings.

“The whole project began because we bought that school down on Lincoln Avenue, and we suddenly became the business of the city. Our kids — Madeline, Gabriel and Therese — pushed us to try to revitalize. They wanted to be proud of their hometown.”

Creating a method for revitalization, Nelson recalled, “(Mayor Jerry Barilla) had the idea of taking little nutcrackers and putting them in all the empty store fronts. I took that idea, basically, and went home that day from a meeting, explained it to my brother and we figured out how to manufacture large ones.”

Efforts have benefited from the “unknown talent” of Brodie Stutzman, who carved every life-size nutcracker, with help from his father, Nelson said, adding that other Nelson family members and employees have contributed their own talents to the village.

“The project has two goals and two goals only,” Nelson said. “The first goal is to revitalize historic downtown Steubenville, and the second goal is to build community. Out of that, ten years later, we’ve seen 20 businesses open downtown, we’ve seen a new college open downtown and there’s 30 buildings that have changed hands. … Because of that, the First Friday events have taken place, because of that we have the egg hunt in the spring. And all this stuff continues to build, and really, we’re building for the future generations … who we’re going to pass this onto.”

Dan Fedoryka of the cultural trust added that the village has become a prominent destination in the eyes of the “entire world.” The village has been recognized by Good Morning America, USA Today, the London Times, the Washington Post and — most recently — Forbes, which identified the village as one of the top nine “holiday extravaganza” destinations.

Fedoryka later noted that, according to city officials, 95,000 people drove down Fourth Street during last year’s village. Additionally, all 50 states and five countries were represented by attendees.

Stutzman remarked to the crowd: “It’s amazing to see all of you here downtown. This place would’ve been dead at this time of the year when I first lived out here.”

Nelson and Stutzman took turns acknowledging sponsors of the village, particularly the handful that have supported it all ten years.

The crowd roared as the 10 new nutcrackers were unveiled one by one: St. Ambrose, Artie, Clarence the Clockmaker, Bayou Boy, Cinderella, Flick, the Rev. Email Kapaun and all POW/MIA, Reddy Kilowatt, Chuck Strongtown and St. Spyridon.

Exploring the village for the first time were Linda Moore of New Kensington, Pa., and Laura Brooks of Andover, who discovered the village through Facebook. The friends decided to visit the village together and let their kids reunite.

“It’s incredible,” Brooks said of the village. “It’s really cool to see all of this so far. … We’re first-timers, we’re like: ‘Ooh, aah, it’s so amazing.”

Brooks’ son, Declen Brooks, and Moore’s granddaughter, Evalee Celmer, agreed that their favorite part was seeing all the nutcrackers.

Returning for its second year at the village is the Dvorsky Collection — a display of more than 400 nativity creche scenes, located at 141 N. Fourth St. Owned by Broadway performer George Dvorsky, the collection features creches of various shapes, sizes, materials and countries of origin.

Among the collection are a Fontanini piece and a creche donated by former first lady Barbara Bush. Pieces have been acquired by Dvorsky during his life, in part due to his travels as an actor. Dvorsky himself will perform a Broadway Christmas show at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, for a $20 admission cost.

The collection will be open for viewing on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Jan. 6. Admission is by donation, with all proceeds benefiting the St. Peter’s Catholic Church restoration fund.

Volunteer Anthony Vento watched over the collection Tuesday and brought a relic of Jesus’ crib, which he’ll allow visitors to reverence whenever he’s on duty. Vento said St. Peter’s is seeking about $8,700 in donations to help repair its elevator and allow individuals with disabilities to easily attend Mass.

Fellow volunteer Linda Rhine said of the creches: “They’re all so beautiful in their own unique way. … It’s interesting that art from the many countries is so different.”

Across Fourth Street, attendees could venture through the German Glühwein Garden to purchase beer, non-alcoholic “kinderpunsch” or glühwein, which is mulled wine made with spices. Customers can also grab a commemorative mug at the garden, which will be open Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Jan. 6.

At the corner of Market and Fourth streets, 338 Market Street, Hilltop Montessori School operated the Children’s Corner, which offered free face painting, holiday crafts and games and photos with Santa Claus. The corner will be open Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Fourth Street itself were lined food trucks and the Advent Market, which featured artisan vendors selling various wares, from toys and clothes to snacks and decorations. The Advent Market will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Jan. 6.

The opening night saw performances from the Ron Retzer Trio and and the Ohio Valley Folk Society. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, the folk dancers will perform a free show at Steubenville Catholic Central High School’s Berkman Theater.