February is gearing up to be a very busy month in Crawford County, so pull up your calendars and get to adding some really cool events to your schedule!

And before we forget: make sure that you remember Valentine’s Day is less than two weeks away. If you feel obliged to participate in the holiday, you’ve now been given plenty of time to get ready!

Tellin’ Tales and Leesville History: Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad

All aboard for train enthusiasts! Choo choo!

If you’re into trains, make sure to swing by the T&OC Depot in Bucyrus at 2 p.m. on Feb. 4 where the Park District will be hosting its Tellin’ Tales and Leesville History programs. Members of the Bucyrus Preservation Society and Depot Restoration Project will be on hand to lead a discussion on the railway and its 1882 depot.

And if you have your own T&OC tales or memorabilia, make sure to bring it along with you. It’ll be Show and Tell time! (Admit it, this was your favorite part of elementary school, too.)

The Leesville History part of the program takes place at 3:15 p.m. with a discussion on the Leesville jail.

Crawford County Agricultural Society Gun Raffle

While you’re in Bucyrus on Feb. 4 – and if you’re looking for a bang for (10) buck(s) – swing by the Youth Building at the fairgrounds. The Crawford County Agricultural Society is holding its gun raffle from 6 – 9 p.m. that day. Expect a variety of guns being raffled off, side raffles, and free food. Proceeds from the event will benefit fairgrounds improvements.

BTW, no one under 18 is allowed into the event. Sorry, kids.

For more information, make sure to contact Blaine Rowlinson at 419-834-0146, Shawn Rowlinson at 419-834-0005, or the Fair Board Office at 419-562-7936.

RELATED CONTENT: Gun raffle proceeds going to improvements at fairgrounds

Yappy Hour

Aside from being one of the most adorable names for an event ever, we’re super pumped about this event. Eighteen-O-Three Taproom (123 Harding Way East, Galion) is hosting Yappy Hour, a program that helps support the Humane Society Serving Crawford County by donating a portion of the day’s proceeds.

Make sure to stop by the taproom between 5 and 10 p.m. on Feb. 10. Swing by Eighteen-O-Three’s Facebook page for more information.

Royals for a Cure: Upper Sandusky vs Wynford Breast Cancer Awareness Basketball Game

Tara Zinser, a senior at Wynford, is again putting on a breast cancer awareness fundraiser as part of her senior project. If you want to catch a basketball game and support a good cause, swing by Wynford High School for the girls game against the top team in the N10, Upper Sandusky, on Feb. 10. It’s a pink-out game, so make sure to color coordinate.

There will be raffles, bake sales, and more. All funds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen organization.

Valentine Auction

The Special Wish Foundation Inc. is hosting its annual Valentine Auction from noon to 6 p.m. at Harley-Helfrich VFW Post 2920, 100 S. Crestline St., Crestline. This is a benefit for Special Wish, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

The live auction begins at 2 p.m. and items up for auction include baked goods, gift certificates, and donated items. Bake sale goods and refreshments are going to be sold throughout the day, too. You can also expect live entertainment and raffle drawings.

RELATED CONTENT: Feb. 11 auction benefits Special Wish

Barn Dance

Pull your cowboy boots out of the closet and don your best button-down and blue jeans! Pickwick Place saw a huge turnout for its first Barn Dance in January and we’re super excited that they’ve scheduled at least two more (Feb. 11 and March 4).

Sonix Sounds DJ is providing the country dance tunes and if you show up early enough (*cough* get there at 6:30 *cough*), you can learn the line dancing steps before things kick off at 7 p.m. It does cost $5 per person, but snacks, drinks, and a cash bar will be available.

RELATED CONTENT: Pickwick Place gears up for winter events

Second Life: New-to-You Wedding and Formal Event Décor and Attire

The Pickwick Place seems to be the place to be right now. They are hosting a special event, Second Life, from 1 – 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Brides-to-be can find everything from centerpieces, signs, and dishes. Word is there may also be bridesmaid, homecoming, and prom dresses up for grabs.

As always, you can find more information at www.thepickwickplace.com or on their Facebook page.

Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce Business and Industry Forecast Breakfast

It’s that time of year when area businesses attempt to look into their crystal balls for the upcoming year. Oh, and they get breakfast. Woohoo!

If you’re business or industry minded, this is a great opportunity to do a little networking and see how things stand in Bucyrus right now. The featured speaker lineup (subject to change, of course) is: ADM Benefit Plans Agency, Avita, Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, Bucyrus City School District, City of Bucyrus, First Federal Community Bank, and Spreng Capital Management.

You do need to be registered by Feb. 16. You can do that by going to www.bucyrusohio.com or calling 419-562-4811.

The 2017 Business and Industry Forecast Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 23 at the Trillium Event Center, 1630 E. Southern Ave., Bucyrus.

The Lion in Winter

This starts to be the blah time of year, so we’re happy that the Crawford Theatre Company is putting on a comedy at the end of the month. Get ready for “The Lion in Winter,” a comedy in two acts by Games Goldman. Performances are going to be held at 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 25, and March 3 and 4 at the Bucyrus Elks Ballroom, 309 E. Mansfield St., Bucyrus.

Here’s the cast lineup:

Henry II – Scott Smith
Eleanor – Betsy Gerhart
Richard – Matt Feck
Geoffrey – Tom Griffin
John – Michael Loose
Alais – Dodie Swick
Philip – Tyler Bishop

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling 419-562-0404 or stopping by MB Subculture, 1715 Marion Rd., Bucyrus. More information can be found at crawfordtheatrecompany.com.

Relay for Life Quarter Auction

Let’s finish this month’s Combing Crawford County article with a good cause. There is a Relay for Life fundraiser from 12:30 – 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Crawford County Council on Aging, 200 S. Spring St., Bucyrus. You can bid on vendor items with quarters! Vendors will include Avon, It Works, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Origami Owl, Pink Zebra, Rodan & Fields, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One, Younique, Young Living, and more.

There is a $5 entry fee, but it will include a bidding paddle. Make sure to bring lots of quarters to use for bidding.