World’s largest rubber stamp — Cleveland Made from painted steel and aluminum by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, FREE Stamp is a can’t-miss feature of Willard Park, next to Cleveland’s city hall. At 28 feet tall and 48 feet long, the representation of a rubber office stamp was placed to look as if it had been tossed there. The word “FREE” is a provocative nod to American history and modern times, reflected by Cleveland’s architectural mix of historic landmarks, such as Terminal Tower and cutting-edge creations like I.M. Pei’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Northwest corner of E. Euclid St. and Lakeside Ave.
World’s largest cuckoo clock — Sugarcreek Every half hour, after a bell chimes and the bird cuckoos the time, a door opens on the world’s largest cuckoo clock. Like magic, the Swiss Hill Toppers, a five-piece polka band, appears. As the band plays “Bratwurst Polka,” a 3-foot-tall dancing couple moves. The woman twirls while the man claps in this Swiss Alps-inspired scene.
The clock, the centerpiece of Sugarcreek’s downtown, has drawn tourists since 2009, when it was restored to functioning status. Originally, the clock, 23 feet, 6 inches tall, and 24 feet wide, was part of the Alpine Alpa restaurant near Winesburg. Since Sugarcreek is known as the “Little Switzerland of Ohio” for its Alpine village ambiance and Swiss heritage, the cuckoo clock’s location is a perfect fit.
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World’s largest pair of drumsticks — Warren Just steps away from Warren’s courthouse square in a narrow strip of alley off Main Street is a rock star tribute to Dave Grohl, founder of the Foo Fighters and former drummer of Nirvana. Paintings and sculptures ranging from music notes to impressionistic portraits highlight the musical genius of Grohl, Warren’s hometown boy. The alley, officially named Dave Grohl Alley in 2009, has the world’s largest pair of drumsticks as its centerpiece. Hand-carved from two poplar logs by local artist Joe Eggert, the sticks are 23 feet long and weigh 900 pounds each. Walk or drive down the alley to see them.
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2017
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