Special Events
Special community events are held throughout the year for residents of Upper Sandusky and surrounding communities. Among the most popular, and those largely attended by the local populace and frequently joined by out-of-town visitors, are:

• the Wyandot County Fair and the Ohio Hand Corn Husking Contest, both held on the county fairgrounds in Upper Sandusky in September and October, respectively;

• the Autumn Cruise, a classic and custom car show and annual fund-raising event held in September; and

• the annual Upper Sandusky Winter Fantasy of Lights holiday display at Harrison Smith Park. This awe-inspiring event begins December 1 each year and runs through December 30. It features 45 displays comprised of more than one million lights.

• Home for the Holidays is an annual event; a festive first weekend in December with activities for everyone including a parade and carriage rides with luminaries lining the streets.

Cultural happenings, developed mainly for children, include reading programs at public libraries in Carey, Sycamore and Upper Sandusky, and band programs for the public, beginning with fifth grade musicians.

In addition, entertainment for the masses includes performances by the Upper Sandusky High School choir and marching band. Also performing annually are the community choir, city band, and Star Theater performers. Each group performs at public events throughout the calendar year.

Historical Sites
Wyandot County is rich with historic sites. Included are:

• Wyandot County Historical Society Museum is located in an Upper Sandusky, Normandy-style mansion. Built in 1853, this 11-room marvel is filled with period furniture, Victorian clothing, an early American kitchen, and a children’s room filled with antique toys, dolls and games.
   

• McCutchen Overland Inn – A stagecoach stop dating to 1829, it stands along the old Harrison Trail 10 miles north of Upper Sandusky on State Route 53.
   

• Wyandot County Courthouse – Noted for its recent restoration, the courthouse has attracted thousands of visitors and is considered beautiful by any building standards.
   

• Wyandot Mission Church – Site of the Methodist’s first North American mission, this restored structure displays historic drawings, photographs and documents. It traces its heritage to the 1820s and is designated a national shrine by the United Methodist Church.
   

• Indian Mill State Memorial and Milling Museum – Built in 1861 by the U.S. government for the Wyandot tribe, it is the nation’s first museum of milling and is open to the public on weekends May through October.
   

• Swartz and Parker Covered Bridges – Crossing spans over the Sandusky River, these picturesque covered bridges are fully restored and open to daily traffic. The Parker Bridge was originally built in 1873 and the Swartz Bridge seven years later.
   

• Mohawk Museum, located in Sycamore, is yet another historical visit/viewing option in Wyandot County.
   

• The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, located in Carey, is visited by peoples of all faith from around the world.
   

• The Crawford Monument was erected in 1877 to honor Indian fighter Col. William Crawford. A new monument in his honor was set in 1994 in Ritchey Cemetery, located south of Carey.
   

• Chief Tarhe The Wyandot peacemaker monument, which is located 41/2 miles northeast of Upper Sandusky, stands in tribute to this great Native American leader.