Shandon Christmas in the Country

Event reflects Welsh heritage.

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Shandon, Ohio’s first Welsh settlement, will celebrate the 40th annual old-fashioned Christmas in the Country on Sat., Nov. 26 and Sun., Nov. 27. The holiday-themed event will feature Santa Claus, a horse-drawn carriage rides, Welsh cakes and plenty of family fun.

Presented by Shandon Civic Association, the festivities will be held throughout the weekend at shops and business throughout downtown Shandon, including the Shandon Congregational Church’s Community House and at St. Aloysius Church on Chapel Road. Event times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The event will feature a variety of homemade food, drinks, music, antiques, crafts and more.

Sian Stow, who co-chairs the event with her husband, Jon, said many of the businesses and churches in community will participate in the longstanding event. The Stow’s are also the owners of Plas Cadnant Bed and Breakfast.

“This is a good way to keep the community thriving. People know about the event and they come from miles around, because they know it’s a tradition. They have the places they always go to. Some always go to the Community House, and others go to St. Aloysius for their food,” Stow said.

Stow said she enjoys the community involvement, seeing friends and meeting new people.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at the old firehouse on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free carriage rides will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

In keeping with the Welsh heritage of the community, the event will feature Welsh cakes, which will be available at various locations. The historic, local shops will also be open to showcase antiques and collectibles, furniture, country crafts and alpaca products. Many visitors will choose to take historic tours that will include a stop at Paddy’s Run Old Welsh Cemetery, which was established in 1821.

“We wanted to bring a Welsh flavor to the event. Both churches will be making Welsh cakes all day. They are a novelty and they’ve become very popular,” Stow said.

“Shandon was founded by Welsh immigrants, and our home, which is the bed and breakfast, was built by a Welshman in 1832.”

Shandon was established in 1801. Shandon, formally Paddy’s Run and New London, is located on Ohio 126, four miles west of Ross.

The community is best known for its antique shops, historic Welsh cemetery and annual strawberry festival. The Christmas in the County event is the community’s largest celebration of the year. Several thousand people are expected to attend.

“It depends on the weather, but we always get a good crowd. If it’s a nice sunny day, crowds will be big,” Stow said.


How to go

What: 40th annual old-fashioned Christmas in the Country

Where: In Shandon; Cincinnati Brookville Road (Ohio 126) at the Shandon Congregational Church’s Community House in downtown Shandon and at St. Aloysius Church on Chapel Road (one mile west of downtown)

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov 26, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27

Cost: Free parking and admission. Open to the public.

More info: (513) 738-0491 or (513) 738-4180

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