By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Shortly following opening ceremonies Thursday afternoon, the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival held the bratwurst eating contest at the north stage.
The contest was split into three different age groups 7-9, 10-14, 18 and older, and a special contest which featured the 2012 Bratwurst Festival queen and attendants.
Steve Blankley finished first in the adult division, which featured a Bratwurst Festival record 15 participants. Placing second for those 18 and older was Casey Gibson, with father of the 2012 Bratwurst Festival Queen, Chris Whitmore, finishing third.
Blankley explained his technique that propelled him to first place.
“It wasn’t really any technique I just ate them and drank water and paid attention to the guys that were close to me and just jammed them down and drank water that was about it,” Blankley said.
“I didn’t even plan on joining,” Blankley continued. “I was just walking buy and they asked if I wanted to join.”
Sibling rivalries were featured in the 7-9 age group with Nicholas Zolovick beating sister Madaline Zolovick.
The Zolovicks’ older brothers took first and second in the 10-14 age group with George Zolovick finishing first, second place was Ryan Zolovick, and Devon Newland finishing third.
The Bratwurst Festival Queen Danyelle Whitmore, as well as the 2012 Bratwurst Festival Attendants Kim Adams, and Amanda Mutchler held an impromptu eating contest. It was First Attendant Adams placing first with Queen Whitmore placing second, and Attendant Mutchler finishing third.
The 7-9 age group, and the 2012 festival queen and attendants had to eat 2 bratwursts, the 10-14 age group had to eat 3 bratwursts, while the adults had to eat 5 bratwursts. After the contest began the first three places were to stand as they finished their last bite of bratwurst.
Bratworks supplied the bratwurst for the eating contest, while the Crawford County Recycling Center provided the medals that were handed out to the winners.