As start of Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival nears, city's transformation begins

The process of transforming downtown Bucyrus into the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival grounds has begun.

Wooden barricades have been stockpiled at strategic locations along streets and alleys. Thick electrical lines snake down sidewalks. Lawn chairs are stacked along the parade route, reserving prime viewing spots for savvy residents.

On Monday afternoon, a team of four volunteers, headed by festival director Kevin Myers, marked off vendor spaces along South Sandusky Avenue.

Myers kept track of where and how big each space should be. Larry West, Myers' predecessor as director and this year's parade marshal, handled the measurements, while Doug Foght — the festival volunteer who delivers the ceremonial first bratwurst during the annual opening ceremony — spray-painted markings on the road.

Jacob Baker, 14, was hauling a bucket filled with gear.

"My parents decided that this was what I should do with today," Jacob said, grinning.

Earlier in the day, Myers said this week would be easier "if there were 17 of me right now." But the festival is worth it.

"It's about community, it's about bringing people and money into the community, it's about enjoying our heritage and just having a good old-fashioned hometown homecoming," Myers said. "We're praying for the weather; Saturday does not look promising, depending on which weather app you look at."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service forecast called for sunny skies and a high near 80 for the festival's opening day on Thursday, with a low that night around 59.

Sunny skies are expected again Friday, with a high around 83. That evening will be partly cloudy with a low around 63, according to the weather service.

But on Saturday, there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., though the day is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 82. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

"Everything else is pretty much business as usual," Myers said. "We've got a great entertainment lineup, we've got all of our contests. Everything's ready to go for the most part."

The electrical crews started work Sunday. The Rensselaer Street stage was scheduled to go up at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and the ride company was expected to begin setting up Tuesday, too, he said. The concrete barricades blocking off traffic to downtown were to be put in place late Tuesday; streets officially closed at midnight to allow for a day of setup on Wednesday.

"That catches people off guard every year," Myers said. "We have a few people who live downtown that we have to tell every year and remind them."

The Boyd Long Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage on Rensselaer, with the queen's pageant at the same place that evening at 8, following the first of three nightly parades. Thursday's and Friday's parades step off at 7 p.m.; the Saturday parade starts at 4 p.m.

Until the festival ends late Saturday, downtown will be completely closed to vehicular traffic between Bucyrus City Hall, 500 S. Sandusky Ave., and Mary Street.

Parking for Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival

The lot at Pisanello's Pizza, 120 W. Charles St., is reserved for handicapped parking, Myers said. "Other than that, we don't provide any designated parking, but a lot of the lots are used as fundraisers for various organizations, like church youth groups, 4-H clubs, etc.,"

Admission to the festival, which ends Saturday, is free.

"We just ask that everyone be patient and kind to one another, knowing that everybody's routines are going to be disrupted with traffic and all that, but it's well worth it for the money that we bring into town for that weekend and the people that we bring into town," Myers said.

Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival schedule

THURSDAY

11 a.m., Boyd Long Opening Ceremony, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., COSI, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

Noon, Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

1 p.m., Ken & Mary, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

2 p.m., Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

3 p.m. Cheerleading contest, courthouse stairs

3 p.m., Junior Princess Pageant, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

3 p.m., Mike & Larry, roaming throughout festival grounds

3 p.m., Uke 3, Schines Art Park Stage

4 p.m., Ken & Mary, roaming throughout festival grounds

4 p.m., Water balloon toss, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

5 p.m., Princess Pageant, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

5 p.m., Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

5 p.m., Bratwurst Eating Contest, Schines Art Park Stage

6 p.m., Ken & Mary, roaming throughout festival grounds

7 p.m., Parade, sponsored by People’s Savings & Loan Co.

8 p.m., Queen’s Pageant, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

8 p.m., Buckeye Pedal Tractor Pull, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

8 p.m. Tim Owings One Man Band, Schines Art Park Stage

FRIDAY

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., COSI, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

Noon, Bucyrus Nazarene Church Praise Team, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

Noon, Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

1 p.m., Cream Puff Eating Contest, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

1 p.m., Ken & Mary, roaming throughout festival grounds

1 p.m., 60 Days to Play, Schines Art Park Stage

2 p.m., Mike & Larry, roaming throughout festival grounds

2 p.m., Water Balloon Toss, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

3 p.m., Watermelon Eating Contest, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

3 p.m., Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

4 p.m., Mid Ohio Gymnastics and Cheer, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

4 p.m., Crawford Antique Pedal Tractor Pull, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

5 p.m., Pizza Eating Contest, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

5 p.m., Break the Chain, Schines Art Park Stage

6 p.m., Ken & Mary, roaming throughout festival grounds

7 p.m., Parade, sponsored by AVITA Health System

8 p.m., Mustache and Beard Contest, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

8 p.m., Limited Time, FC Bank Stage

8 p.m., One Foot in the Grave, Schines Art Park Stage

9 p.m., Men’s Legs Contest, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

SATURDAY

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., COSI, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

Noon, New Washington Band, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

Noon, Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

Noon, Mini Moto Contest, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

Noon, Pigtail Contest, Schines Art Park Stage

1 p.m., Mike & Larry, roaming throughout festival grounds

1:30 p.m., Pretty Baby Contest, Schines Art Park Stage

2 p.m., Abby Neidermeier, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

2 p.m., Ken & Mary, roaming throughout festival grounds

2 p.m., Hoop Shoot, Ohio Mutual Family Fun Zone

3 p.m., Visiting Queen’s Stroll, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

3 p.m., Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

3 p.m., Ice Cream Eating Contest, Schines Art Park Stage

4 p.m., Parade, sponsored by ARK Realty

6 p.m., Acoustic Tequila, FC Bank Stage

6 p.m., Wayne Golob and Anthony Culkar, roaming throughout festival grounds

6 p.m., Stein Auction, Schines Art Park Stage

7 p.m., United in Harmony, Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage

7 p.m., Howard Cole, Schines Art Park Stage

8 p.m., Rubix Cubed, FC Bank Stage