‘World’s Biggest Nutcracker’ In Belleville For 2018 Holidays

BELLEVILLE, NJ — In the holiday season rush for the latest gadget or the next party, it’s easy to forget less fortunate and in-need neighbors. But Belleville’s Michael Perrone is hoping the “world’s largest nutcracker” can help remind his community of the true meaning of Christmas.

The 8.5-foot nutcracker can chomp up to 10 walnuts at a time, said Perrone, the president of the Belleville Historical Society. And 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, he says.

It will be on display at the State Fair Christmas store at 241 Main Street in Belleville through New Year’s week.

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

The owner of Perrone Construction said that this year, he’s using the humongous nutcracker to try and drum up attention for the Belleville-based 1st Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, a nonprofit private school that serves students with disabilities.

For 2018, Perrone has set up a Facebook fundraising campaign in an effort to raise funds for the school, which can be seen here. He's also set up a GoFundMe campaign, which can be seen here.

“The Cerebral Palsy Center has helped thousands of local adults and children for over seventy years,” Perrone said, praising the school’s contributions to the community.

Hopefully, the “world’s largest nutcracker” can help raise some awareness, he said.

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Photo: The Moreno Family of Belleville, mom Maria with Isabella and dad Gerard with Leon visit the "world's largest nutcracker" at State Fair Christmas store in Belleville. (Michael Perrone)