It is that time again when teen girls across the county can submit their applications to participate in the Bratwurst Festival Queens Pageant.
Applicants must be 16 to 19-years-old by Aug. 1 and residents of Crawford County.
“The girls selected for the Queen and court will represent the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival by traveling together throughout Ohio promoting our festival while attending luncheons and participating in other festival parades,” said Sheila Nickum, who heads up the pageant.
Nickum said the queen and her court will have the opportunity to travel around the state.
“Some of the favorite festivals for the girls to travel to are the Circleville Pumpkin Show, Milan Melon, Swiss, Wooly Bear, Vermilion Festival of the Fish and Lorain International. They meet so many new friends over the course of their year traveling. It’s exciting for the girls and their families to see the other festivals and parts of Ohio they wouldn’t typically think about visiting,” Nickum said.
Nickum said the Bratwurst Festival is a celebration of the city’s German heritage and a chance for visitors to see what Bucyrus and Crawford County have to offer.
“I’ve personally always felt it has been a backbone to bringing families and friends back home to Bucyrus every August, it’s a huge reunion,” Nickum said.
The queen and court receive scholarships at the end of their one-year reign.
“The queen will receive a $1,000 scholarship, the first runner-up receives $500 and the second runner-up receives $300 in scholarship monies,” Nickum said.
Nickum said simply participating in the pageant is an amazing educational opportunity.
“I think participating in the Bratwurst Festival Queen’s Scholarship Pageant provides local girls the opportunity to compete on a different perspective than most of them have ever competed before. They will learn so much about public speaking and participating is not only fun, but a huge confidence builder,” Nickum said. “ It’s not easy to stand up on a stage in front of a large group of people and not only are some of these girls doing this for their very first time, they are doing it successfully.”
Nickum said there are several practices throughout the summer before the girls take the stage on the first night of the festival.
“We work on interviewing techniques, walking on stage, what the judges may be looking for with regard to poise and personality, etc. I’ve seen a lot of girls learn so much about themselves, gain confidence and self-esteem in just a few short months. And we have fun,” Nickum said.
Applications are available on the Bratwurst Festivals website www.bucyrusbratwurstfestival.com.
A Get Acquainted Tea and orientation meeting for all candidates and their parents will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 6, at the Bucyrus Public Library. This meeting is mandatory and at least one parent/guardian must be present. The application deadline is that same day at 6 p.m.
For more information, call Sheila Nickum at 419-562-6595.
