By James Massara
The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival queen and her court were crowned Thursday evening during the first day of the downtown festival.
Allison Lawson was crowned queen of the 50th Annual Bratwurst Festival, Victoria Adams was named first runner-up and Sarah Campbell was second runner-up.
Lawson, a Colonel Crawford High School senior, was crowned 10 years after receiving the crown for junior princess in 2007. Lawson was crowned by 2016 Bratwurst Festival Queen Cayte Pojman who also crowned Lawson as junior princess in 2007.
Lawson said that made the experience that much more special, but the special connections did not end there.
Lawson’s mother, Beth (Cole) Lawson, was crowned festival queen during the 25th Annual Bratwurst Festival in 1992. Allison Lawson said her mom’s experience helped her practice for the event, especially for the public speaking portion of the contest.
Lawson said she was excited to travel around the state and represent Crawford County at various events.
Abigail Martin was crowned as the first-ever princess in the inaugural Bratwurst princess competition, Hannah Scott was named first runner-up and Addison Kemery was named second runner-up.
Martin is a middle school student at Colonel Crawford and was overcome with emotion after her name was called as the winner. In her speech to the crowd in attendance, Martin thanked her mother for being a roll model in her life.
Martin fought back tears of joy while she explained how happy she was to receive the honor. She said she wants to represent the festival as best she can and some day may try to run for queen.
Eva Kozinski was named junior princess of the festival, Ella Albert was named first runner-up and Victoria Stang was named second runner-up. Albert also won best German costume in the competition.
Kozinski is a student at Wynford Elementary and was very excited to win the pageant. The seven-year-old said she practiced very hard with her mother and will try her best to represent the city, festival and county.