Great food, music, and unbelievable bargains during How Sweet It Is sidewalk sale in New Philadelphia
Don’t miss the famous Critter Cook Off, which will be returning to the downtown New Philadelphia square as Jeff Urban, the city chief of police, and Jim Zucal, city service director, put on their chef hats during festivities at the downtown merchants annual How Sweet It Is sidewalk sale July 28, 29, and 30.
“Jeff and Jim won’t tell anybody what they’re making until they bring the dishes in that day,” said Mike Ley, of Robert’s Mens Shop, who helps to spearhead the effort. “It’s always a big surprise. Sometimes they make you try it first, and then you have to guess what you’re eating. There’s always a big crowd of spectators, and they seem more than willing to try the free samples.
“The guys keep things lively while contestants wait to have their own dishes tasted by our celebrity judges, Jerry Marlowe, Joy Dawson, and Harold West, who will be awarding a trophy to the winner. Usually we see a lot of dishes that include squirrel, rabbit, and venison and similar ingredients.” Ley encourages those interested in competing to call the mayor’s office for more information, or to simply have their dishes at the square at noon, as winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m.
The Critter Cook Off, held on Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m., is only one of many special events slated for the 57th annual sidewalk sales.
“This promotion is the longest running continuous promotion in the state of Ohio,” commented Ley. “Who would ever believe that when Eddy Maurer, a retail carpet store owner, began the first sidewalk sale in downtown New Philadelphia in 1954, that the merchants would keep this promotion going all these years?”
Ley pointed out that merchants will have “plenty of unbelievable bargains that will whet the appetite of any shopper,” and also that there will be delicious food on hand all three days. On Thursday, there will be grilled barbecue chicken provided by the First United Methodist Church, and roasted corn and pulled pork sandwiches from Gavin’s restaurant. Hamburgers, hot dogs, lemonade, and more will be offered by the New Philadelphia soccer team, Tuscarawas County Child Advocacy Center and other groups, along with a bake sale benefitting Sacred Heart parish. Fresh, local farm raised vegetables and fruits will be available for purchase on the square from the Sweetwater Farms farmers market. There will definitely be plenty of sweet treats for everyone. There will also be colorful eye candy, as an assortment of beautiful plants and flowers will be on hand that can also be purchased for the home garden, courtesy of Schoenbrunn Gardens.
The kids will jump into the food fun, too, when Big Jim’s Ice Cream sponsors the fourth annual No Hands Ice Cream Eating Contest on the square by Gavin’s for kids 12 and under from 11 a.m. to noon. The contest is part of the Children’s Day Party, complete with games and prizes for the younger crowd to enjoy.
Sweet music? Absolutely!
“On Thursday evening we’ll entertain you with some foot stomping fun when the Nu-Hall dancers hit the gazebo stage with two hours of some of the best line dancing around from 6-8 p.m.,” added Ley. “Bill and Becky Meese head up the group, and if you’ve never had a chance to see them perform, be prepared to smile.”
Friday night, at 7 p.m., the much-loved music of long time area duo Daniels and Rinehart will be heard on the Gavin’s quadrant of the square, so visitors can sit under the open sky and catch up with old friends or make a few new ones while enjoying classic acoustical tunes.
“We think that How Sweet It Is, Sidewalk Sale 2011 will again prove that this is the greatest sidewalk sale in Ohio,” Ley noted enthusiastically. “Mark your calendars for July 28, 29, and 30, and just plan on joining us for some good old summer time fun.”
“Jeff and Jim won’t tell anybody what they’re making until they bring the dishes in that day,” said Mike Ley, of Robert’s Mens Shop, who helps to spearhead the effort. “It’s always a big surprise. Sometimes they make you try it first, and then you have to guess what you’re eating. There’s always a big crowd of spectators, and they seem more than willing to try the free samples.
“The guys keep things lively while contestants wait to have their own dishes tasted by our celebrity judges, Jerry Marlowe, Joy Dawson, and Harold West, who will be awarding a trophy to the winner. Usually we see a lot of dishes that include squirrel, rabbit, and venison and similar ingredients.” Ley encourages those interested in competing to call the mayor’s office for more information, or to simply have their dishes at the square at noon, as winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m.
The Critter Cook Off, held on Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m., is only one of many special events slated for the 57th annual sidewalk sales.
“This promotion is the longest running continuous promotion in the state of Ohio,” commented Ley. “Who would ever believe that when Eddy Maurer, a retail carpet store owner, began the first sidewalk sale in downtown New Philadelphia in 1954, that the merchants would keep this promotion going all these years?”
Ley pointed out that merchants will have “plenty of unbelievable bargains that will whet the appetite of any shopper,” and also that there will be delicious food on hand all three days. On Thursday, there will be grilled barbecue chicken provided by the First United Methodist Church, and roasted corn and pulled pork sandwiches from Gavin’s restaurant. Hamburgers, hot dogs, lemonade, and more will be offered by the New Philadelphia soccer team, Tuscarawas County Child Advocacy Center and other groups, along with a bake sale benefitting Sacred Heart parish. Fresh, local farm raised vegetables and fruits will be available for purchase on the square from the Sweetwater Farms farmers market. There will definitely be plenty of sweet treats for everyone. There will also be colorful eye candy, as an assortment of beautiful plants and flowers will be on hand that can also be purchased for the home garden, courtesy of Schoenbrunn Gardens.
The kids will jump into the food fun, too, when Big Jim’s Ice Cream sponsors the fourth annual No Hands Ice Cream Eating Contest on the square by Gavin’s for kids 12 and under from 11 a.m. to noon. The contest is part of the Children’s Day Party, complete with games and prizes for the younger crowd to enjoy.
Sweet music? Absolutely!
“On Thursday evening we’ll entertain you with some foot stomping fun when the Nu-Hall dancers hit the gazebo stage with two hours of some of the best line dancing around from 6-8 p.m.,” added Ley. “Bill and Becky Meese head up the group, and if you’ve never had a chance to see them perform, be prepared to smile.”
Friday night, at 7 p.m., the much-loved music of long time area duo Daniels and Rinehart will be heard on the Gavin’s quadrant of the square, so visitors can sit under the open sky and catch up with old friends or make a few new ones while enjoying classic acoustical tunes.
“We think that How Sweet It Is, Sidewalk Sale 2011 will again prove that this is the greatest sidewalk sale in Ohio,” Ley noted enthusiastically. “Mark your calendars for July 28, 29, and 30, and just plan on joining us for some good old summer time fun.”
Published: July 19, 2011
