By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
With delivery of the first bratwurst by Boyd Long, the 46th annual Bratwurst Festival officially opened in Bucyrus Thursday.
Long who has delivered the first official bratwurst for 41 of the 46 years of the festival said some things have changed over the years.
“Quite a few changes for the better, we enjoy it,” Long said. “We enjoy having people come out. It is good for the city.”
The 2012 Bratwurst Festival Queen Danyelle Whitmore, attendants Kim Adams, and Amanda Mutchler began opening ceremonies by singing the national anthem and introducing members of the Bratwurst Festival Committee as well as City Administration members.
Deb Mason thanked the crowd for attending, Mason also thanked the volunteers who have given their time and support to the festival.Mason explained the success of the festival.
“The success of the festival basically is attributed to all the sponsors that donate their hard earned money to help get the festival going, the vendors that come in so we have all this variety of food for everybody,” Mason said. “I mean there is something for everybody, and of course the hard working volunteers that make it possible. As for what we are looking forward to, we are looking forward to bigger and better every year.”
Deb Pinion gave a little history behind the Bratwurst Festival saying that the festival was started by the Chamber of Commerce with the help of local businesses. Pinion further explained that soon the festival became too big for the Chamber of Commerce to operate, and that the festival was then turned over to the Bratwurst Festival Committee.
During the opening ceremonies the awards for window decoration were handed out. The contest featured two categories window decoration and window painting.
Mid-Ohio Chiropractor took first place in window decoration with Lay’s Jewelry receiving runner up, and UB Dazzled finishing in third place.
The offices of Doctors Todd and Rebecca Strickland took first in the window painting contest. Dean’s Trophy House finished second, while the Andrew Schoch Agency finished third.
After farewell speeches were made by the 2012 Bratwurst Festival court Long began his run to the stage opening the 2013 Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival.
A photo gallery of all of the activities from the first day of the festival is on the Photo page.