BUCYRUS – The sausage sandwich of the century will highlight the kick-off of the city’s yearlong Bicentennial celebration.
Opening ceremonies and festivities will officially begin Sat., May 1, at 11 a.m., but the historic Bratwurst Sandwich Drop – the city’s version of the famous Times Square ball on New Year’s Eve – is slated for 3 p.m. that day on Washington Square.
A fitting tribute to a town known for its German heritage. And a bratwurst so big that two Bucyrus Fire Department ladder trucks will be positioned to hoist the 11-foot-long sandwich more than 100 feet in the air for what’s being dubbed the First Annual “Brat Drop.”
“It looks amazing. It’s the most absolutely amazing sandwich ever,” said Kelli Patterson, the city’s Bicentennial Coordinator, after a meeting with the Fire Chief to plan a trial run of the event. “It’s very exciting to be working on the surprise unveiling.”
Volunteers started building the replica – made primarily of wood and insulation – last October since the original kick-off was set to coincide with New Year’s Eve. It started with a rough sketch by architect Randy Fischer, a member of the Bicentennial Commission.
“It’s been an interesting thing to do,” said Fischer, whose cousin, Fred Fischer, helped with the design and construction in his garage out back. “I’m used to building from drawings, but this was the analogy of building an airplane as you’re flying the thing.”
They crafted the sandwich from one-inch-thick insulation, which was glued in layers, and carved the wooden link with hand saws and power sanders, Randy Fischer said. Two metal rods and more than five pounds of screws were used to hold it together and fiberglass was added for reinforcement, he said.
Originally, they envisioned the sausage wrapped in a traditional rye bun but decided to switch it up so that the sandwich, when up in the air for the Drop, would be more visible to spectators, he said. “So, it is a bratwurst between two pieces of white bread for contrast.”
The model is so authentic that the meat even has grill marks, thanks to the master painter for the project, Jeremy Lutz, who actually grilled up a dozen brats and took photos so he could replicate the detail when it was time to start airbrushing in March.
Lutz, who helped move the model to his business – Committed Builders on Mt. Zion Road – said he used urethane based automotive paint for the 36-hour long project. “I definitely made colors for what I would say was a 14-color process. It was a challenge.”
Lutz said he applied a skim coat first, then painstakingly sanded and primed the piece with a base coat. He added the color mixtures with a spray gun and then went to work on his specialty – airbrushing. The sandwich was sealed with an auto body clear coat.
“There was a lot involved,” Lutz admitted. “It needed to be nice up close, but it had to be identifiable from 100 feet above too. I really tried to make it a happy medium. But absolutely I’m happy with how it turned out.”
In addition to the Brat Drop, the kick-off will feature food, games for children, and entertainment on the Schines Art Park stage. The opening ceremony will be streamed live, Patterson said, and downtown businesses will offer promotions with the chance to win Bicentennial gift baskets.
“Community Unity” is the theme for the 200th birthday celebration, which will continue with a parade and fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend and culminate with a formal farewell gala on Dec. 31. Other events will be posted on the Bucyrus Bicentennial Celebration website at www.bucyrus2021.com