This annual holiday display is crazy!
In Steubenville, Ohio – home of legendary Christmas caroler Dean Martin – tourists flock to see the Nutcracker Village, which this year boasts a record 205 larger-than-life creations from the likes of Charlie Brown, the cast of The Wizard of Oz and Martin himself.
Lumberjack Mark Nelson and his wife, Gretchen, founded the village in 2015 to “bring light and life to downtown,” son-in-law Brodie Stutzman, who carves the figures, tells PEOPLE. “It’s about giving our community a real sense of magic.”
Open until January 6, the village is the only confirmed collection of life-size nutcrackers in the world. It is free to visit through self-guided tours.
Ohio’s Nutcracker Village.
Theresa Nelson
“It’s a months-long process to get the exhibit ready, and preparations start in March,” Stutzman explains. “Volunteers spend about 500 hours to help refresh and repair the statues, write grants, partner with local sponsors and landscape the grounds. This has really become such a special event, as we have received so much help from our community.”
In the first year, the village was represented by 50 nutcrackers created by Mark with the help of his 10 children and their families.
“I’m not sure it would be possible to replicate the fun we had when we first put the village together,” says Stutzman. “We all had so much excitement and joy between us, and the response was so memorable. We really brought the holiday spirit to the city.”
Stutzman’s favorite elf is Hermey from 1964 Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
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“He played a part in everyone’s youth, and people light up when they see him,” he says.
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Ohio’s Nutcracker Village.
Theresa Nelson
This year’s Wizard of Oz cast “is also a very magical display,” he adds. “Our team did an amazing job adding the figures — the detail is simply stunning.”
When I come up with new characters each year, “I look at the Nutcrackers I’ve done in previous years and think I can do more,” Stutzman explains. “Before I know it, I’m in the middle of creating one that’s 9 feet tall or has some other complex feature, and the premiere is upon us. But sometimes that’s also the best way to learn and find my limits.”
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Besides, it is pleasant, he adds.
“The most fun part is giving personality to each individual nutcracker – unique shapes, colors, whiskers and most importantly, accessories,” he says. Even if they are not planned.
“Sometimes they create their own personality – with an accidental fall and a new scar!”
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Source: HIS Education