By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
It has been a year since First Friday debuted in Bucyrus and the organizers are just as excited for their second go-round in the community-centered event.
“We’ve had people calling and excited to want to join and participate in the activities,” said Sue Logsdon, owner of U Be Dazzled Boutique and chairperson for First Friday Bucyrus. “I’m feeling really good about our first event and the number of vendors and people we have signed up.”
A health and fitness theme will kick off the summer events on June 2. FCBank and Fitness Warehouse are hosting a 5K run/walk that will benefit the Humane Society Serving Crawford County. The race will start at Washington Square and will weave into the Unger and Aumiller parks before making its way back downtown.
More details about the 5K can be found here.
Fitness Warehouse will have ongoing activities in the FCBank parking lot. Yoga demonstrations will also occur in the parking lot.
The Bucyrus Area YMCA will be holding activities on East Rensselaer Street in the Kid’s Area where the Bucyrus Public Library will have a Music, Movement and More class. New this year will be a bounce house in the Kid’s Area.
A food court will be on West Rensselaer Street and will feature brat-ritas from First Baptist Church, Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Charlie’s Kettle Corn. The Bucyrus Diner will also be open for the event.
As always, a variety of sidewalk vendors will be stretched along both ends of Sandusky Avenue.
Logsdon noted that they will also have entertainment along the street. Al Frazier can be found at the Great American Crossroads mural, Brian Copper & Friends will be at Ley’s Jewelry, CB & LA Brown will be at the food court, and Greg Bell will be in front of the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau.
“All of this, as well as the Kid’s Area and activities, would not be possible without the help of many good sponsors,” Logsdon acknowledged. “It’s definitely a team effort. We’re proud to have this in Bucyrus, supporting our community and supporting our businesses.”
Logsdon stressed the importance of having events that highlight the businesses in the community.
“We have people traveling from Columbus up to the lake, people traveling through here. It’s to bring people downtown,” she explained. “It’s also to educate people on what they have and the importance of shopping local and supporting your local businesses, but also being able to show visitors that are passing through our town that we are working together as a team and having fun activities like this.”
Logsdon added that it was a great way for businesses to participate even if they are not on the main thoroughfare.
First Friday will take place from 5 – 8 p.m. in downtown Bucyrus. The June event will focus on health and fitness, the July 7 event will have a Christmas in July theme, and the Aug. 4 First Friday will honor hometown heroes.
Anyone interested in claiming a vendor spot can download forms at bucyrusohio.com/first-fridays, call 419-617-7667, or email firstfridaybucyrus@gmail.com.
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