'We're a well-oiled machine:' Planners gearing up for Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival

Kevin Myers, director of the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival, has a suggestion for anyone planning to attend this year's event, Aug. 18-20: "Bring your appetite and your desire for fun."

For the most part, it will be "business as usual" as the festival takes over downtown for three days, he said.

"We're having a little more local entertainment than in years past," Myers said. "We're trying to fill little gaps here and there on the stage with different musical acts and acoustic acts. But other that, it's going to look very similar to years past."

This year's theme will be "Brattie Remembers Old Friends" The parade marshal will be Larry West, Myers' predecessor as festival director.

"We just really wanted to pay homage to all those that came before us, that made this what it is," Myers said. "When I took over and was in charge of selected a lot of the the marshals, the honorary marshals, I always found people that we could posthumously honor, and I felt horrible doing it — because let's recognize people while they still can appreciate the fact that they did something positive, and be there to see that."

Preparations for this year's event have been going smoothly.

"So far, so good," he said. "We've had the same core group of people for several years in a row now, which makes it very easy to just do what you've been doing the last several years, and it's does become like clockwork. We feel like we're a well-oiled machine."

Not having to worry about the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cancellation of the festival — as happened in 2020 — is a relief, Myers said. But he also acknowledged that the virus remains a public health concern.

Two Ohio Department of Health mobile units will be at the festival, he pointed out — including one that provides free COVID-19 vaccines (primary or booster doses) for anyone ages 3 years and older. The other, the CORE-4 Health Screening Unit that made its debut at the Crawford County Fair, offers free blood pressure, A1C, cholesterol and BMI screenings.

"We want to make sure that we do our part," Myers said. "We understand that it's a divisive issue, that there are people who feel very strongly on both sides of it. We just want to play well with all sides."

Best 'Wurst' Bike Ride ready to return

This year also will see the return of the Best "Wurst" Bike Ride. Bringing back the event after a two-year hiatus was one of the goals cited when the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce took on duties of the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau earlier this year.

"This will be the first year that the chamber has had direction over that event," Myers said. "That's exciting within itself."

It will be the 42nd ride, according to a news release from the chamber, which has encouraged riders from across the state to get “Back in the Saddle Again.” The event "offers cyclists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to explore the Crawford County countryside, riding along a trail of local flora and farms," according to the news release. 

Participants can choose a 15-, 32- or 47-mile ride, and the route is well-marked and flat with little traffic, the release states. The 15-mile route can be broken down into distances of 8, 11 and 13 miles.

"Rest areas have been designated for riders based on distance, with one stop expected to take place at the scenic Lowe-Volk Park and Nature Center and another slated for the Dapper Cabin, built in 1842," according to the news release.

All rides will begin at the Crawford Museum of Agriculture building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds, 610 Whetstone St. Check-in will be 7-9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Riders will be unsupported after 2 p.m.

Registration for the long ride is $30, or $15 for the short ride. Children younger than 10 ride free with a paid adult.

For information or registration, visit bucyrusohio.com/bestwurstride or email Deb Cameron, admin@bucyrusohio.com.

Registration open for festival contests

Myers said registration is open for all of the festival's contests and events, too — the nightly parades, the 5K Color Run/Walk, the Pretty Baby Contest and the pigtail contest. People interested in signing up should visit the festival's website, www.bucyrusbratwurstfestival.com.

For the eating contests, sign-up takes place a half-hour prior to the event, he said.

"We just want to encourage people to get out, get involved and have a great time," Myers said.

ggoble@gannett.com

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