Bratwurst Festival: Queen Natalie Stover says farewell
Editor's note: A new Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival queen will be crowned Thursday evening. The annual queen’s scholarship pageant will begin immediately following the Thursday parade, at 8 p.m. on the Wyandot Mutual Insurance Stage on West Rensselaer Street. The princess and junior princess courts also will be crowned during the event. Before handing the crown over to one of this year's three contestants — Hannah Feldman, Emily Goldfuss and Abbigail Martin — reigning queen Natalie Stover, who took over the title earlier this month, says farewell in this essay.
On the first night of the Bratwurst Festival, the stage lights shined like glitter, the smell of festival food wafted through the cool summer air, and anticipation flooded my brain. I sat with the rest of the contestants, eagerly waiting to hear the results, while desperately trying to control my excitement. Each second seemed to be slower, until finally, with a big smile, the announcer called out my name. Elated, my mind raced with the possibilities this position introduced, and throughout the rest of the ceremony, I could not help but get distracted by the notion of getting to travel with the rest of the incredible women in the royalty court, of having the chance to take on community events and service projects, and of being able to represent my home of Crawford County as a 2021-2022 Bratwurst Festival Queen. What I had failed to realize back then was the extent of how incredible this journey would be, as every moment was a chance to grow the bond between not only myself and my royalty court, but myself and my community.
With my court, I had the chance to travel all over the state of Ohio. Every new place I visited was brimming with culture, pride, and uniqueness. From lakes to hills to historical Indian mounds to villages, each festival took their diverse individuality and expressed it through every activity. Regardless of the distance, I found myself surrounded by friends in my fellow court members, as we explored the events, food, and adventures together. Festivals such as the Milan Melon Festival, with their annual and exclusive watermelon ice cream, Circleville Pumpkin Festival, with pumpkins larger than me on display, and the Feast of the Flowering Moon, featuring traditional Indian dances and songs, all opened my eyes to the myriad of wonders Ohio holds. Most importantly, I got to share these wonders with the people who matter most: my family, and my fellow Bratwurst royalty friends.
I knew going into the Bratwurst Festival Royalty Pageant that I wanted to represent my community not solely while traveling, but additionally through service. With like-minded friends at my side, this was a fun and impactful adventure. Each court member was able to take something they were passionate about and convert it into a service project. From collecting donations for the Humane Society to working a Pancake Day at Lowe-Volk Park, we put our crown-bearing heads together to help our community any way we could. One exciting project I headed during my reign was collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House, a charitable organization that provides housing for families with children staying in Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Each member tuned into their crafty sides to make tie-blankets with various themes, which would be given to children at the house. To be able to connect with the other court members while doing a meaningful project for the benefit of others was incredible.
These projects and travels deepened our friendships along the way. I am overjoyed to have been able to connect with those incredible women, as we represented the kindhearted, welcoming, and helpful nature reflected in the community of Bucyrus and its surrounding areas. It is this community which has continued to cherish our town’s heritage by supporting the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival. Regardless of what festival I was at, I still longed for when I would notice the sweet smell of cream puffs, the sight of German attire, and the overwhelming pride that comes from knowing that the Bucyrus Bratwurst festival is, and always will be, a part of your home.
As I prepare to give up my crown, I remain eternally grateful for your support and love, which has made each of these wonderful memories possible. Thank you for making every moment special, and for contributing to the greatness this town holds. I am elated to witness the festival again this year, and I wish the best of luck to all of the current queen contestants. This festival will always be a part of my heart, so thank you for contributing to the community who makes it fantastic every year.
With love,
Natalie Stover