ADDED TO ROSTER — Five new nutcrackers were added to the Nutcracker Village Tuesday evening, as crowds gathered inside a tent erected inside the German Gluhwein Garden on Fouth Street. A fog machine began the introduction, after which officials announced the newest additions, including an Ohio State Buckeye nutcracker, Zaccheus, St. John the Worker, Fred Astaire and the Wicked Witch. There are now 230 nutcrackers, according to officials. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — There is a moment when the calendar feels as though it stops … if only for an instant. It is a transition from the brisk gray of fall to the hopeful twinkle of the holiday season. That moment arrived Tuesday evening, as the streets came alive with families eager to see what new wonders awaited on the downtown streets of Steubenville.

Hundreds gathered to welcome back an army of silent, painted soldiers and to usher in one of the community’s most cherished traditions: The Nutcracker Village.

The air not only filled with the scent of roasted nuts and gluhwein, but with the quiet hum of generations coming together.

What should have been a snow-covered scene along Fourth Street was instead replaced with chilled raindrops falling from the night sky. And still, the visitors remained excited — eager to begin the Christmas season.

Despite the unveiling and performances having to take place inside a tent set up inside the German Gluhwein Garden, the holiday spirit remained in the hearts of visitors.

It was on the faces of the children, as their eyes widened with the magic of it all, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the five new characters as they were revealed.

It was in the knowing smiles of adults, who can remember when an event such as this was only a dream.

The Nutcracker Village is a testament to belief … that if you have enough heart, enough people who share in a vision, a collection of painted, wooden figures can transform a few city blocks into a beacon of light and hope.

The event marked its 11th anniversary of the community tradition, welcoming five additional nutcrackers to its display. Each one, a work of art in itself.

As the new nutcrackers were unveiled, many in attendance saw more than just painted figures. They saw a community coming together, celebrating itself.

Each of the new nutcrackers stood tall and proud bringing the total now to 230. Steubenville continues to hold the distinction of hosting the largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers in the world.

Officials began a fog machine prior to the unveiling, lifting the golden-colored sheets one by one, to a roar of applause from the crowd. Announcers said this was the most dramatic opening night in the last 11 years.

Added to the village this year were an Ohio State Buckeyes nutcracker, a Fred Astaire nutcracker, the Bible’s Zaccheus, St. Joseph the Worker and the Wicked Witch.

Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of the Sycamore Youth Center, said he and his wife, Pam, have been praying for the Zaccheus nutcracker for five years. The center sponsored the figure, who climbed up into the Sycamore tree to see Jesus passing by.

Ken Perkins, a board member for the Steubenville Cultural Trust, explained these five nutcrackers now complete a whole section organizers have been working on for the last five years.

Mark Nelson, president of the Steubenville Cultural Trust, addressed the crowd with gratitude and pride. He recalled the beginning, when his family purchased a school on Lincoln Avenue and how they suddenly found themselves woven into the fabric of the city.

Nelson noted his children pushed the family to try to revitalize, wanting to be proud of their hometown.

That desire became the heartbeat of the Nutcracker Village. It was a project that grew from a simple idea by Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla of tucking small nutcrackers into downtown storefront windows, into a phenomenon that now draws visitors from across all 50 states and beyond.

Nelson, along with his wife, Gretchen, are the village creators; Brodie Stutzman is the master carver; and Therese Fedoryka is the event coordinator and nutcracker designer. Several volunteers assist with the Nutcracker Village Planning Committee, as well.

Barilla’s vision has blossomed into a holiday tradition that transforms Steubenville into a winter wonderland. And the growth has been remarkable. For what began as a handful of figures has today become a internationally recognized attraction, with each nutcracker telling its own story through costumes, colors and character.

Nelson thanked the sponsors for helping to make the evening possible, including Nelson’s of Steubenville, the Steubenville Cultural Trust, Tri-State Financial Services, WesBanco and WTRF-TV.

Visitors continue to return year after year, not only to see the additions, but to revisit old favorites — nutcrackers that have become part of the city’s identity. And yet, the evening held so much more, as the night’s festivities included performances by traditional German dancers, the Sycamore Folk Dancers, the Hilltop Montessori Singers and Gage Turner.

Fourth Street market vendors sold their wares, as a nativity exhibit revealed the true meaning of Christmas.

The Artistry of the Nativity exhibit, located at 147 N. Fourth St., is an extensive collection of creches owned by Broadway star George Dvorsky. A collection of more than 400 nativities from around the world can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 9.

The German Gluhwein Garden offered beer, mulled wine and cider, providing patrons with the charm of an Eastern European Christmas. The garden, located at 156 N. Fourth St., will remain open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 4.

A Children’s Corner, operated by Hilltop Montessori School, supplied free holiday games, Christmas crafts, face painting and photos with Santa. Children from its elementary school between the ages of 6 and 12 sang various carols for the audience.

And on this 11th opening night, with 230 nutcrackers standing guard along Fourth Street, downtown Steubenville came alive with Christmas.

The Nutcracker Village has returned. And the city seemed to whisper, “This is where the magic begins.”

Activities will continue through Jan. 9. Visit steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com for information.