BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival building recently received some needed renovations and put them on display at an open house hosted by the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kevin Myers, the assistant festival director, said the building was pretty much gutted, with all changes being more cosmetic than structural.
“We got rid of the carpet that had stains on top of the stains and got a nice commercial-grade floor and painted all of the 1970s ‘Brady Bunch’ paneling and really turned this into a giftshop and showcase of our history,” Myers said.
The building used to be a photography studio, so things like glass cases where memorabilia collected throughout the years are stored there.
The restrooms have their own “powder room” area attached that used to be used for clients to get ready for pictures but have now turned into dressing rooms for the Bratwurst Festival queen and princess and any other traveling festival royalty.
Myers also said there was a lot of time and effort put into renovations mainly through volunteers and joked that, “there are three guys who liked to hide from their wives every morning, so they would come up here and work. Anytime I would stop up here to check on them, they were soaked in sweat, so they were really working hard.”
Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tyler Jacobs said he believes it is important to show the work being done by community groups.
“I think it is very important for businesses and organizations to show off their updates and renovations because it shows they care about investing back into the Bucyrus community,” Jacobs said. “So, we are really thankful for that and are thankful for all they do for the festival.”
This year’s Bratwurst festival is August 15-17 in downtown Bucyrus.