Let’s just say that the month of June is going to be a busy one, which means this edition of Combing Crawford County is going to be a whopper. So here’s what we’re going to do. We will highlight some of the bigger events, then will give you the who, what, when, and where’s of everything else that has been made available to us.
If you can’t find something to do this month, well, don’t blame us.
Meet the Graders
You might’ve been catching the Cleveland Indians games every chance you get, but did you remember that the Galion Graders’ season is starting soon? And, as a treat, you can meet the team at a special Meet the Graders event (from 5 – 6 p.m. on June 1 at James D. Heddleson Field in Heise Park) and watch them practice.
Why should you consider meeting the Graders? Well, not only is the team going into its second season as part of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, but the roster consists of one hometown boy (shout out to Colonel Crawford’s Austin Adams!) and a few from surrounding communities (okay, we’ll give a shout out to them, too – Xavier Harris of Mt. Gilead, Brody Basilone of Mansfield, Evan Lee of Lexington, Justin Lewis of Shelby, and Dalton Stambaugh of Fredericktown).
As long as you’re in the baseball mood . . . the Graders’ home opener is June 3 versus the Lorain Ironmen. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Want to know more about the Graders? Go to www.greatlakesleague.com, find them on Facebook, or @ them on Twitter.
RELATED CONTENT: Graders baseball returns in June | Galion Graders bringing crack of the bat back to Heise Park
First Fridays
We’re all about promoting what’s happening in our county, so what better way do to that than to support the businesses, too? Shop downtown Bucyrus from 5 – 9 p.m. on June 3 for the inaugural First Fridays event. The focus for this month will be Health and Fitness.
Think of this as Candlelight Christmas, except in the summer months . . . and it’s brighter out . . . and there’s no snow. Which is all a part of what makes Candlelight Christmas such a special event, but you get our drift.
First Fridays is getting its start this year by getting you out and about in downtown Bucyrus. Businesses that would not typically be open until 9 p.m. on a Friday are staying open a bit longer if they are participating in the event. You’ll get the YMCA, Fitness Warehouse, and Avita doing demonstrations, and Rensselaer Street will also be blocked off for food vendors.
Businesses that aren’t located right in the heart of downtown will be setting up displays in front of other stores that won’t be open for First Fridays. Entertainment will be located at three different areas along the street and a kids’ area will also be set up.
Keep up to date on all First Fridays events for this summer on the First Fridays Facebook page.
RELATED CONTENT: Another reason to look forward to Fridays this summer
Living History Days
This two-day event is hugely popular for the Crawford Park District. One of the reasons why? You get to watch a reenactment of the capture of Colonel William Crawford, the namesake of our county and, yep, Colonel Crawford schools.
The Park District has a few new things on tap this year: a presentation by Shequonor (a Shawnee storyteller), Butler’s Rangers, and a children’s nature walk.
You’ll also get four chances to take a bus tour to Battle Island Monument and the Colonel Crawford Burn Site Memorial in Wyandot County. Gruesome, yes, but still fascinating to learn about who walked our fields and forests all those years ago.
The events kick off at 9 a.m. on June 4 and continue until 4 p.m. that day. There will be a few hours’ break before the Park District opens back up for a woodland lantern tour that will focus on Native American life. That will take place from 8 – 10 p.m. The final day of Living History will start bright and early on Sunday at 9 a.m. with a Scout-led flag raising and United in Harmony singing the National Anthem.
RELATED CONTENT: Living History Days coming to Lowe-Volk Park | Celebration brings history to life at Lowe-Volk Park | Colonel Crawford captured again at Lowe-Volk Park
Dutchtown Hatchery Festival
New Washington, or Dutchtown as so many like to call it, is throwing open its doors for the annual Hatchery Festival. For three days (June 9 – 11), enjoy food, rides, music, and, as always, the annual fireworks show.
The Poker Run is back for another year. The ride starts that Saturday at 9 a.m. from the New Washington American Legion; last bike out goes at 11. Stops are going to include West Lodi, Jimmy Bukketts, 2 Cans, Rays on the Bay, and the Reedtown Tavern. The last card will be drawn at the Hatchery Festival Beer Garden. For more info on the Poker Run, call Bob at 419-512-0479.
The Chickfest is also offering up a raffle for a 2016 Polaris Ranger 570 EPS Side by Side (or $10,000 if you want to go the money route). Tickets will be available at the festival or through St. Bernard’s or the New Washington American Legion. That drawing will take place Saturday evening.
Here are some of the other things going on at the Hatchery Festival:
Thursday, June 9
Rides open on the midway at 4 p.m.
State Sanctioned Kids Pedal Tractor Pulling – registration begins at 7 p.m.
Luke Rietschlin Band 8 p.m. at the Beer Garden
Friday, June 10
BBQ Chicken Dinners from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall
John Kennedy Orchestra 6 p.m. at the Gazebo
Alternative Ending 8 p.m. at the Beer Garden
Saturday, June 11:
Benefit Breakfast and Bake Sale from 8 – 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church
BBQ Chicken Dinners from 12 – 8 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall
Garden Tractor Pulling 12 p.m.
Parade 5 p.m.
Dutchtown 5K Run – registration begins at 6 p.m. at Young Chiropractic. Contact Shelli at 419-512-2457 for more info
United in Harmony performance 6 p.m. at the Gazebo
State Sanctioned Kids Pedal Tractor Pulling – registration begins at 7 p.m.
Gopher Baroque 7 p.m. at the Beer Garden, followed by Tomacco and Smokestack Lightnin’
New Washington Town Band 8 p.m. at the Gazebo
Fireworks 10 p.m.
Did we mention our very own Davey Jones will be broadcasting live on Thursday night? Make sure to stop by and say hi!
For more information about the Dutchtown Hatchery Festival, check out its Facebook page.
RELATED CONTENT: Good times get rolling at Dutchtown Hatchery Festival | Hatchery Fest rolls on through day 2 | Dutchtown Hatchery Festival to be more than ‘meaty yolker’ | 2014 Dutchtown Hatchery Festival (Photos)
26th Annual Graffiti Car Cruise
Guys, don your leather driving gloves. Ladies, grab your hats. Everyone, slip on your baddest pair of sunglasses ‘cause it’s time to go cruising in downtown Bucyrus!
Now, most of us don’t have the horses under the hood, the fancy bodywork, or the historical tags, but we can drool over yours and dream right? Cool, thanks. If you love cars or just wonder what downtown Bucyrus looked like back in its heyday, you should swing on by the Graffiti Cruise on June 11, hosted by the Crawford County Custom and Classic Car Club. The show typically takes up most of Saturday, so if you can’t make it right when the show opens at 2 p.m., you have until midnight to get your car fix in!
RELATED CONTENT: Classic cars make Graffiti Cruise a classic in its own right | Graffiti Cruise XXIV (Photos) | There’s no cruise like the Graffiti Cruise | Graffiti Cruise XXIII (Photos) | Cruisin’ the way it used to be | XXII Graffiti Cruise (Photos)
And basically everything else we think you’ll find of interest this month:
For the Spell of It – An Adult Spelling Bee: Thursday, June 2 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Galion Public Library.
Aumiller pool opens: June 4
Nick Vogt Warrior 5K Run/Walk: Saturday, June 4 in Crestline. Registration begins at 7 a.m.
BBQ Benefit and Concert on the Green: Saturday, June 4 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Woodlawn United Methodist Church
Heise Park Swimming Pool opens: June 6
Galion CritFest: Saturday, June 11 in Uptowne Galion. Race start time is 8 a.m.
Youth Fishing Derby: June 11 from 9 – 11 a.m. at Lowe-Volk Park
5th Annual Cemetery Walk (Galion): June 12 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery
16th Annual Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Show: June 16 – 18
Running for Hope – Run for a Cure 5K/1K: June 18 from 8 – 10:30 a.m. at Wynford High School
South of the Square Block Party: June 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in downtown Bucyrus
New Washington Community Garage Sale: June 24 & 25
Boating Safety/Beginner Canoeing: June 25 at 10 a.m. at Neff Reservoir (Bucyrus)
Kick Off Summer 5K and Kids Fun Run: Sunday, June 26 at Bucyrus High School. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
Vintage Base Ball Game: June 26 at PECO Park. Ladies game starts at noon; men’s game set for 2 p.m.
As always, additional happenings can be found on our Events page. It’s also garage sale season, so make sure to check out where those will be happening on our Garage Sales page.