PHOTO FROM WWW.KIDRONCOUNCIL.COM
Kidron Fun Night is scheduled for July 23 at Kidron Park.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | DGKN
Buildings will be open and historical equipment on display – and working – at Sonnenberg Village during the annual Homecoming.
KIDRON Over the next four weeks, Kidron will be hopping.
Three big events in particular, steeped in tradition and featuring fun for all ages, welcome not only residents but attract visitors and also encourage those who grew up in Kidron to return home to visit with friends and family. Even if you’re not from Kidron you’ll feel right at home during Kidron Fun Night, Sonnenberg Village’s annual Homecoming, and Kidron Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Chicken Barbecue.
Sonnenberg Homecoming
In conjunction with the annual Sonnenberg Homecoming, Tschantz descendants and family members are having special activities to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the immigration of Abraham and Anna Tschantz to the new world.
Take a walk through time in Sonnenberg Village, 13497 Hackett Road, just north of Kidron, and enjoy the beautiful peaceful grounds and restored buildings that make up a working farm. Watch demonstrations in the blacksmith shop, printing shop, and other buildings. Meet descendants of some of the early residents of the area who lived and worked in the buildings decades ago.
Tschantz relatives will have a reunion, and new historical items and documents will be on display, including passports used by Abraham and Anna Tschantz and Abraham’s parents in 1824.
As part of Sonnenberg Homecoming this year, a special one-act musical entitled “The Promised Land,” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, according to information provided by Director Christa Wolf. Script and lyrics were written by the late Grace Tschantz, a Tschantz family historian from Orrville, with music composed by choir director and local pharmacist John Weyrauch. The story centers on the fictional “Tschudi” family (loosely based on members of the Tschantz family) who immigrate to the United States from Switzerland in 1919. A Swiss Father “Atti” and Mother “Mueti” risk everything to uproot their six children and move to Ohio where letters from friends assure them “The Promised Land” awaits.
Though they enjoy their new lives and opportunities it affords, the parents try to help their children adjust to the new culture, language, fashion, and life without loved ones they have left behind. The oldest daughter, Trudi, finds the transition especially difficult as she is of marrying age, but left her heart in Switzerland with her childhood sweetheart with whom she has lost all communication. In the dialogue, Grace cleverly weaves references to local businesses, culture, and landmarks that Wayne County natives are sure to find humorous and engaging.
The 16-member cast that will be performing “The Promised Land” consists of talented locals from Wayne County, including two of Grace Tschantz’s great nieces, Stephanie Tschantz Ducharme and Courtney Tschantz who honor their family legacy with their performances. Christa J. Wolf is directing with John Weyrauch as music director and accompanist for the performances. More details can be found on the 2024 Sonnenberg Village Homecoming event page on Facebook and on the Kidron Community Historical Society website. Tickets are $5 for ages 6 and older, ages 5 and under are free. Special family group pricing is also available. Call Sharon at 330-466-7439 for reservations.
For the past 15 years, project manager Ray Leisy and other historians, descendants of original settlers to the area, and a dedicated group of volunteers have made Sonnenberg Village possible by moving historic structures to the site, restoring them and helping the village to resemble a working farm and town.
Most of the activities for the Homecoming will take place 10 am. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Beginning at 10 a.m. take a step into the past thanks to artisans, heritage businesses, genealogy lookups, Tschantz history video and all historical buildings will be open.
At 11 a.m. food trucks will be on site and wagon rides will be going to Sonnenberg Cemetery. A map showing family gravesites will be available and new gravestones have been placed at Abraham and Anna’s graves for the occasion.
At 1 p.m. Orrville Community Band will have a free performance in the Welcome Center. At 7 p.m. Honeytown has a concert in the Gerber/Nussbaum barn which has an impressive display of farming equipment and tools. The village closes at 9:30 p.m.
On Sunday, visitors have one last chance to watch “The Promised Land” play at the Welcome Center at 2 p.m. Aug. 11. Visit sonnenbergvillagehomecoming.com.
Kidron Fun Night
Nice weather greeted Kidron Days last month. The three-day event was a success with well-attended garage sales, a benefit meal, and run, said Jacob Troyer, president of the Council.
“It was a great weekend overall,” Troyer said.
With the Easter Egg Hunt and Kidron Days under their belts, the nonprofit Kidron Council is now focusing on Kidron Fun Night.
Kidron Fun Night is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 at Kidron Park. The popular Amish vs. English softball game kicks off the evening of activities and old-fashioned fun at 6:30 p.m. Young children can keep busy looking for candy in a straw pile, and enjoy train rides around the park – a favorite for many children. Roy Randalls drives the train and his son stands in the back and keeps a lookout to make sure kids stay safe. Games on the field begin after the softball game with the bucket brigade, three-legged sack race, candy for children, water balloon toss and tug-o-war ends the evening with the event closing at 9 p.m.
All throughout the evening attendees can enjoy Yoder Veal’s veal burgers, fries and ice cream, as well as pop, water and cotton candy. Face painters and a balloon artist stay busy throughout the evening. Enter to win door prizes drawn throughout the night donated by businesses. Kidron Volunteer Fire Department supplies drinks and also will have a truck on display.
New this year, Wild Fox will have a mobile coffee trailer.
For more information, visit www.kidroncouncil.com and keep an eye on Kidron Council’s Facebook page for updates. A rain date has been scheduled for July 24.
These events wouldn’t be possible without volunteers and donations from businesses and individuals, and the community showing their support, Troyer said. Members of the council work on planning the events year-round. Allen Miller is the vice president, Sandy Detrow is treasurer, Marilyn Shetler is secretary, Merlin Miller is the event planner and Sharla Stoltzfus is the social media coordinator.
At least 600 or 700 people are expected at Kidron Fun Night.
“It takes effort but without the community showing up or the business support we couldn’t do it,” Troyer said.
The next event for Kidron Council is they are involved with the 32nd annual Ohio Truck Show. Transport for Christ truck parade begins in Kidron Sept. 14.
The Kidron Council also helps out local families every Christmas through the generosity of the community donating to the United Fund. Letters go out to individuals and business every fall.
The nonprofit 501c3 organization accepts donations. Besides organizing events year-round, the organization makes sure sidewalks in the community are taken care by making sure they are maintained, are in good repair and are plowed in the winter so people can walk and bike on them.
Kidron VFD Chicken BBQ
When people crack open new calendars for the year and begin marking off special days, the annual Kidron VFD Chicken Barbecue is one of those events people look forward to the first Tuesday of every August and they plan around it.
The 67th annual Kidron VFD Chicken BBQ is more than just a chance to enjoy a good meal and help out a good cause. The event includes pony rides for children, live music and more.
Beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Central Christian School, chicken only will be available as drive-thru until sold out.
Full meals will be at Kidron Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. until sold out. A total of 6,200 chicken halves will be cooked by volunteer fire department personnel and family and friends. This year, all proceeds will go toward purchase of extrication tools for the fire department.
Live music begins at 5:30 p.m. with Rhinestone. County Line Band plays at 6:30 p.m. Chicken and meals are by donation. Merrybrook Donuts and Pioneer Coffee also will be on site.
