You say there’s nothing to do in this county? Well, sit right down, kiddos, and let us point out some of the best things happening in Crawford County this month.
Farmers Markets
Ahhhh. Fresh fruit, locally grown meats, baked goods, and some maple syrup to top it all off. Nope, we didn’t make a stop at the local grocery store. Instead, we’re marking our calendars for the local farmers markets. The Crestline Farmers Market already started its season on May 3, but it will continue every Tuesday through the end of October. It is held from 3 – 6 p.m. at 202 N. Thoman St.
Bucyrus Farmers Market follows up with an event nearly every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at 1695 E. Mansfield St. (across from AutoZone). The first one will take place on May 7.
The NorthSide Farmers Market in Galion won’t begin until a few weeks later (May 19), but it will occur every Thursday through early October, depending on the availability of the produce. That one will be held from 4 – 6:30 p.m. in Heise Park. It also accepts SNAP on eligible products.
For a complete list of vendors and goodies, check out our farmers market round-up: Farmers market season begins Tuesday
BB Gun Shoot
Pew. Pew, pew. Pewpewpew. Whoops. That’s our X-wing Starfighter sound effects. What’s the one we use for BB guns? Pop, pop, plink? 
Anyway, if you have a kiddo who enjoys shooting a BB gun or wants to learn how, you should check out this Crawford Park District event. The Park District volunteers will be meeting up at Unger Park (1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd.) to shoot targets and enjoy a “Woods Walk” (not exactly sure what that will be, but if CPD is putting it on, we’re there).
The BB Gun Shoot starts at 6 p.m. on May 5. Meet at the Bridle Trailhead, west of the barn, at Unger Park. FYI, kids need to be accompanied by an adult.
Puttin’ on the Dog
It’s (one of) the day that goes to the dogs. Yep, we’re talking about the Humane Society Serving Crawford County’s Puttin’ on the Dog event. In its eighth year, this year’s charity auction will feature Columbus Zoo Behind the Scenes tour and zoo passes, a date night in Cleveland complete with an overnight stay, dining, and entertainment, plus passes to Splatter Park, Monsoon Lagoon, and African Safari Wildlife Park. Dinner, raffle, and games start at 6 p.m., the live auction is at 7:30, and the Cellar Dwellers will take the stage from 8:30 – 11. Party time, whoop, whoop! (Well, that was just embarrassing. Somebody needs to stop us before this gets out of hand.)
Admission to the event is $10, but pre-sale tickets are available at the Humane Society. The event will take place on May 6 at Dillinger’s Event Center. Need more info? Call 419-562-9149.
RELATED CONTENT: Crawford County Humane Society puts on the dog for a good cause
Leadercast
Where’s the one place you can hear Steve Wozniak, Nick Saban, Kat Cole, and Rorke Denver? If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket, the place you should be at is Leadercast 2016. This year’s simulcast will be themed “Architects of Tomorrow” and will focus on visionary leaders who imagine and build futures that are rich in innovation and collaboration. Leadercast will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 6 at Bucyrus Nazarene Church.
RELATED CONTENT: Leadercast 2016: visionary leaders the architects of tomorrow | Leadercast shines the light on brave leaders | Local leaders learn to become a Beyond You Leader at Leadercast
Baseball and Softball Tournaments
Rain, seriously, you need to go away. It’s tournament time and we need to get these games in! Here’s the list of first round games and potential games later on for all six county schools:
Saturday, May 7 (all baseball games): Mansfield Christian at Crestline (11 a.m.), St. Pete at Buckeye Central (11 a.m.), and Willard at Bucyrus (3 p.m.)
Monday, May 9 (softball): Western Reserve at Crestline (5 p.m.) and Seneca East at Buckeye Central (5 p.m.)
Tuesday, May 10 (softball): Huron at Bucyrus (5 p.m.) and Wynford at Galion (5 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 11 (baseball): Colonel Crawford vs TBD (5 p.m.) and Wynford vs Plymouth (5 p.m.). Other possible games if previous wins: Crestline (5 p.m.) and Buckeye Central (5 p.m.)
Thursday, May 12: Margaretta vs Galion (baseball, 5 p.m.). Possible softball games: Crestline (5 p.m.) and Buckeye Central (5 p.m.)
Friday, May 13 (softball): Colonel Crawford vs TBD (5 p.m.). Possible game: Bucyrus (5 p.m.)
Thursday, May 17: possible Bucyrus baseball game if they win on May 7
Into the Light
Standing around the memorial tree by the playscape at Aumiller Park, Into the Light always starts off on a somber note. If you can manage to choke back your emotions long enough, it’s for a good cause. The Into the Light Walk, held every May, focuses on suicide prevention. The walk runs through the park, over Friendship Bridge, up to Southern Avenue, along the bike path, down Kalen, Gay, and Ridge before ending back at the park. Participants should meet at the enclosed pavilion at Aumiller on May 14. Race begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information contact Ginger Gamble at 419-562-8235.
Pancakes in the Park
Speaking of maple syrup . . . mark us down for Crawford County Now, table of four. Shoot, the Park District isn’t taking reservations. What’s a newsperson have to do to get a stack of flapjacks doused in real maple syrup around here?!
If we absolutely must share table space, then meet us out at Lowe-Volk Park from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 14 for Crawford Park District’s annual Pancakes in the Park event. They’ll have pancakes topped with real maple syrup (don’t even try to fool us with that store-bought stuff) and a side of ham.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Park District. You can just walk in the doors to see the interactive tree exhibit for an example of what this fundraising event has been able to bring to the park.
RELATED CONTENT: The birds and the bees . . . and pancakes | Pancakes pack ‘em in at the park
Creation at the Station
Once you’re stuffed with pancakes, how ‘bout heading south on 598, hanging a Louie on Harding Way, and stopping off at the Galion Big Four Depot for Creation at the Station.
The Brush and Palette Art Gallery and the Galion Historical Society are teaming up to sponsor the event. This is an open “paint-out” call to all artists who have a hankering to paint or draw outside at the Depot or other historical attractions in Galion. There may not be any water lily ponds à la Claude Monet, but maybe we can start our own trend?
Artists from the Ohio Plein Air Society will be on hand alongside local artists. And if you have zero artistic skills but still enjoy how an artist captures the way sunlight softly caresses a leaf, then show up at 5 p.m. for a “wet paint” sale of the artwork.
There is a $20 fee for artists to help cover the expenses of the event and prizes for an art competition. The Creation at the Station is an all-day event, starting at 8 a.m. and lasting until 7 p.m.
United in Harmony benefit concert
The men of United in Harmony are always a hit. Dressed in their eye-popping colored dress shirts and belting out the tunes, these local guys have made their rounds of performances, including singing the National Anthem at Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Columbus Clippers games.
Now, they’re taking their talented vocal cords and putting them to good use for a benefit concert at 7 p.m. on May 14 at Bucyrus United Methodist Church. UIH will put on a musical variety show with patriotic and Broadway tunes, and light rock, folk, country, spiritual, and contemporary music. The event is free to attend, but a good will offering will be taken to benefit the church’s building fund and mission projects.
RELATED CONTENT: United in Harmony to sing at Bucyrus UMC benefit
Neighbors helping Neighbors
It is the spring season, so why not do a little spring cleaning in your hometown? The City of Galion is partnering with the Galion Ministerial Association and other groups for a community clean-up day on May 21. 
The day is going to kick off at 8 a.m. with a free breakfast for volunteers. Grace Point Church will be serving breakfast in its gymnasium and then volunteers will be given their assignments.
Recycling trailers are also going to be available at Heise Park and East Park over the weekend with profits going to local Scout troops. The Taylor Road Composting Station will remain open until 5 p.m. on Saturday to allow for additional drop-offs.
To volunteer, call city hall at 419-468-1857 or sign up at on the city’s website.
RELATED CONTENT: Neighbors helping neighbors for Community Clean Up Day
All About Aviation
We’re still pretending that we’re flying our Starfighter and pewpewpew-ing our way around the newsroom. Maybe it’s a good thing, then, that the EAA Chapter 148 is holding an All About Aviation Day at Galion Municipal Airport.
We mean, it’s the first step to flying a Starfighter. Right?
Before you go dashing our hopes, let us get all this information out. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 21, you can meet pilots, instructors, and other aviation personnel to learn all about the flying craft. You will also be able to view aircraft, drones, and RC aircraft. Plus, kids ages eight to 17 can participate in the EAA Young Eagles flights – with parental permission, of course.
Food will be available during the event. If you need more information, check out Galion Municipal Airport (KGQQ) on Facebook.