‘World’s Largest Nutcracker’ Returns To Belleville For Holidays

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The “world's largest nutcracker” is returning to Belleville for the holidays.

The 8.5-foot nutcracker can chomp up to 10 walnuts at a time, Belleville's Michael Perrone told Patch last year, when the massive Christmas toy made its first appearance at the State Fair Christmas store at 241 Main Street.

While there may be three larger nutcrackers in Germany – one of which holds the current Guinness world record – his version is the only one that can be used to actually crack nuts, said Perrone, the president of the Belleville Historical Society.

The nutcracker is returning to the State Fair Christmas store on Monday, where it will remain on display until Christmas. Selfies and photos are welcome, Perrone said.

As was the case last year, the nutcracker display will help raise funds for the Belleville-based 1st Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, a nonprofit private school that serves students with disabilities.

What would motivate the Belleville resident to birth such a creation? The true spirit of Christmas, he previously told Patch.

Perrone has been building life-size working nutcrackers for 20 years. His creations have been used to ring in the holiday season at events and places such as Belleville's Cerebral Palsy Center, the Belleville and Nutley municipal Christmas displays, and Lincoln Center in NYC, where Perrone's nutcrackers have been used at cast parties at the Metropolitan Opera and the Nutcracker Ballet.

• See related article: Nutley Bar Transforming Into 'Christmas Pop-Up' For 2019

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