What to do, what to do . . .
You say there’s nothing to do in this county? Well, sit right down, kiddos, and let us point out some of the best things happening in Crawford County this month.
Homeschool in Nature
The Crawford Park District is no stranger to hosting special events for the local schools, but what about those kids who miss out on those opportunities as homeschoolers? As if the naturalists at the Park District would let one kid in Crawford County go without some proper nature knowledge.
The Park District is offering programs specifically for home-schooled children this fall. There are three programs scheduled through November with the first one taking place on Sept. 8. Homeschool in Nature: Who Left That? will focus on solving who walked through the park. Students will take a walk through the woods and look at different clues – think tracks and scat – to find the culprit.
Spots must be reserved by Sept. 7 by calling the Park District at 419-683-9000. Children ages 5-8 will meet from 9 – 10 a.m. and 9- to 12-year-olds meet from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Sessions are limited to 20 children per group, so make sure you sign up soon!
RELATED CONTENT: Crawford Park District to offer programs for home-schoolers
County-wide garage sale
Didn’t get enough garage sales and flea markets at last month’s Lincoln Highway-Buyway? You’re in luck because there will be a county-wide flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the county fairgrounds. There will be a $1 admittance fee, but those proceeds will help benefit the Crawford County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Need more information or want to purchase a space? Visit the Crawford County Suicide Prevention Coalition Facebook page or call 419-562-8235.
RELATED CONTENT: County-wide flea market to take place at the fairgrounds in September
A Hole-In-One for Crawford County Golf Outing
There have been a lot of golf outing benefits this season, but this is a new one to put on your calendar. The Crawford County Young Professionals, those up-and-comers who have been seriously promoting Crawford County and all it has to offer, are hosting a golf outing on Sept. 11 at Valley View Golf Course. It’s a nine-hole, four-man scramble that costs $25 per person.
Did we mention that proceeds from the event will benefit the Crawford County Young Professionals Scholarship Fund?
Yeah, you can spend an afternoon with your buddies playing a round of golf and help some future student with their college expenses. Win, win.
More info on the golf outing can be found on the Crawford County Young Professionals Facebook page. Want to know more about the group or join them? Check out their website.
If you’re in the mood for some more golf, the Jeff Dyer Memorial Golf Scramble will take place on Sept. 17, though the field is limited to 27 teams. More information can be found here.
RELATED CONTENT: Crawford County Young Professionals having golf outing
Ice Cream Hike
I scream, you scream, we all scream for . . . ICE CREAM!!!!!! Okay, so not only are we
going on a hike with Park District naturalist Lisa Bogard, but when everyone gets back we get homemade ice cream? With toppings found in nature?
Sign us up. Right now.
Bogard will lead a discovery hike through the Lowe-Volk Park woods where you can find ice cream toppings provided for us by Mother Nature. Thank you so, so much, Mother Nature.
Pre-registration is required for this event, so make sure you sign up by Sept. 12. The Ice Cream Hike will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.
Crestline Harvest Festival
It’s still prime festival time so get ready for the Crestline Harvest Festival Sept. 15 – 17. Crestliners were able to revive their beloved festival a few years ago and, thanks to the support of the community, it may be sticking around for a long while.
Opening ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m. on the main stage that Thursday with the Queen’s Pageant following at 7 and the Teen Dance at 8:30. Haz Benz will take the main stage at 6 p.m. Friday night with the Electrik Circus to follow at 9.
The Harvest Festival committee made sure that you’ll have no end of entertainment on Saturday. There’s the Craft Show, Crestline Police Car Show, nine different contests, rides, and a parade at 3:30 p.m. Oh, and the Grand Marshals for the parade this year? Bill Marilyn Horning! (Congrats, guys!)
There will be more musical entertainment Saturday night with Steel Ivory, Chris Higbee, and Kobalt Kreek.
If you need more information, make sure to check out the Crestline Harvest Festival Facebook page or visit the village’s website where the full schedule is listed.
RELATED CONTENT: Kerri Reynolds reigns over Crestline Harvest Festival | 2015 Crestline Harvest Festival (photos)
Unger Games
Happy Unger Games!
Luckily, this Park District event will have a much happier outcome than any fictional story that pits kids against each other. Go to Unger Park (1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd.) on Sept. 21 to participate in archery, bb gun shoot, tomahawk throwing, and sling casting contests. This event is for ages seven and up – and adults can even participate (yay!). All the equipment will be provided so show up at 5:30 p.m. to get your games on.
May the odds be ever in your favor.
Elkhorn Family Field Day
Mark your calendars because Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club Family Field Day is just around the
corner! Families have been going to the Family Field Day for years and there are so many reasons why. They not only get to participate in so many activities, but last year featured a character that educated everyone on hunting rules and etiquette.
What can you expect this year? Fishing, an archery range, shotgun and rifle range, boat safety, pheasant field dressing and cooking, pond ecology, turkey hunting, and blacksmithing.
Family Field Day is slated for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club (4146 Klopfenstein Rd., Bucyrus). Oh, we forgot to tell you . . . this is the 18th year Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club is putting on the event and it is also National Hunting and Fishing Day.
RELATED CONTENT: Elkhorn’s Family Field Day is Sept. 24 | A day in the great outdoors | Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club Family Field Day (photos) | Family Fun Day hits the bull’s eye
Football Games
It seems like most of the local trophy rivalry games are happening this month, so we’ll give you the rundown.
The Seccaium Park Trophy went to Galion last week, but the Redmen will get a chance to redeem themselves and fill the trophy cabinet at school this week. It’s going to be a tall order, though, because the Royals are so ready to rumble this year and if the Liberty-Benton/Wynford game last week is any indication, those boys are not taking any prisoners. They’re also looking for their 19th straight Copper Kettle win. The Copper Kettle game is being held at Bucyrus this year on Sept. 2. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Check out pictures from last year’s Copper Kettle game here.
The following week (Sept. 9) is the epic #BattleforthePaddle (make this hashtag a thing, Bucks!). Buckeye Central is looking for revenge after last year’s heartbreaker of a loss in overtime. The Bucks held the lead through most of the game, but the Tigers earned a TD with 1:37 left to go in the game to push it into overtime. The Tigers’ Brennan Martin not only scored the tying touchdown, but he was also the one who dashed Buckeye Central’s hope with the game-winning TD.
Whew, that game, man. Read our roundup from last year to find out what we’re talking about.
The Bucks are home this game, so we expect them to go full bore after the Tigers, but it might be a tough time of it after losing some major key players. Either way, we got your back, Bucks.
This is only the third year for the Battle for the Paddle game and the Bucks and Tigers are tied at one apiece. It’s time to bring home the Honey Creek Paddle!
RELATED CONTENT: Bucks and Tigers to tangle for Honeycreek Paddle
Does anybody remember last year’s Iron Plow Trophy game? Let us refresh your memory: there was rain, rain, rain, some TDs, more rain, and – did we mention it rained? It’s
anybody’s guess what the weather will be like two weeks from now, but the newsroom is crossing its fingers really hard in the hopes it won’t rain.
The Wynford vs Colonel Crawford football game is always an exciting one to see. It doesn’t seem to matter if one of the teams are having a down season – both will bring everything they have to make it an epic rivalry game. The Eagles got a taste a few years ago of what it feels like to beat the Royals, so don’t expect them to flee like a flock of birds when the Royals pounce onto the field. This will also be the third year for the Iron Plow Trophy, which seems to be happy at the home of the Royals for the past two years, but third time may be the charm for Colonel Crawford.
As for Wynford, well, everyone knows they just reload every year. Expect hard hits, probably some on-field trash talking, and a rivalry game to get both sides talking. Game day is Sept. 16 at Colonel Crawford.
RELATED CONTENT: Wynford claims Iron Plow Trophy for second year | Colonel Crawford at Wynford (photos) | Wynford wins inaugural Iron Plow Trophy
Sports
Since we highlighted some of the bigger football matches this month, it’s only fair that we point out some of the best competitions going on in the other sports, too.
The N10 golf tournament is Sept. 20 at Valley View Golf Course. This tournament starts early that Tuesday, so we know that a lot of people can’t make it. But if you just happen to have that morning open . . . check this out! Mohawk is currently leading the N10 (they’re undefeated in league play as of Aug. 31) with Seneca East close on their heels. Our county teams fill out the bottom half of the league standings, but we do have some great individual golfers like Nick Gremling (CC), who was averaging a 45 through Aug. 25.
The county cross country meet is Sept. 24 at Galion’s Amann Reservoir. What’s so great about this event is not only a focus on all our county athletes and who is the best (yes, yes, we know that this will probably be a battle between Colonel Crawford and Galion), but fall is just starting. Amann Reservoir creates a perfect backdrop for a fall meet. The meet starts at 9 a.m.
If football, golf, or cross country aren’t in your wheelhouse, how about stopping out to the Bucyrus High School tennis courts for the Sam Sabback Invite? It’s on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. This is always the big event for area tennis players and typically brings in some great competition.