NEWS

Positive Seekers needs help with event

Todd Hill
Reporter
Spectators cover their ears as a cannon goes off during the Red, White and Blues in the Park Festival last July at Aumiller Park.

BUCYRUS - The Fourth of July may seem like a long way off with the snow flying and the temperatures dropping, but it's not far away at all to the members of the local civic organization Positive Seekers.

The group is asking residents and businesses in not just Bucyrus but the rest of Crawford County to consider chipping in to help defray the costs of "Red, White and Blues," scheduled for July 3 from 2 to 7 p.m. in Aumiller Park.

"Our costs include $175 for insurance, $400 for sound and lighting and $200 for other expenses. In addition to these known expenses, we hope to have buskers, individual performers and troupes with acts like acrobatics, fire spinners, mimes, hula hoop performers and street dancers. We hope to have a bounce house," Positive Seekers said in a news release.

"Unfortunately, each of these things costs money, around $250 each. This is where you can help."

The group said sponsors can help Red, White and Blues become established as an old-fashioned carnival associated with the Independence Day holiday each year, hopefully one that's free for members of the community.

"The mayor, City Council and we all feel that this can be a big event to bring people in from all over, but we need people to help. We want to see the big, old Uncle Sam walking around, and we'd like to have a dump tank there," Positive Seekers member Carolyn Shireman said.

Positive Seekers is offering five sponsorship levels - folk ($25), pop ($50), country ($75), jazz ($125) and blues ($250).

"We need the sponsorships back ASAP so we know what we need to spend, and so we can catch the performers before they're booked somewhere else," Shireman said. She said Positive Seekers is hoping for 90 to 95 sponsors this year.

"We want each of our sponsors to feel included in our event. It's not just about handing us money. We want to make certain that you and your organization are not only given fair credit for your donation, but that you are included in the fun. Every sponsoring organization will be offered part of a pavilion for you to tell about your organization," the group said.

So far, Altercare of Bucyrus has donated hot dogs, hamburgers and buns for the event on July 3. Positive Seekers and the city have also arranged it so that tickets for the public swimming pool will be reduced on July 3. It costs $500 a day to rent the city-owned pool.

Positive Seekers has also had meetings recently to discuss finding a way to renovate the Union Cemetery on Tiffin Street in Bucyrus, which is in a declining state. Veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War are buried there.

"We've had a lot of people complaining about the cemetery, but not very many people have been stepping up to help out," Shireman said.

Positive Seekers will also be putting up 30 big, blue bows in Washington Square and down South Sandusky Avenue in March for Safety Forces Month. The bows are being paid for by Norton's Flowers. Residents can purchase small blue bows at City Hall to benefits the families of safety force workers.

"Positive Seekers in now in its second year of service to the city and this organization, and all service organizations, play an important role in adding their own flavor to the quality of life in Bucyrus. We wouldn't be Bucyrus without them," Mayor Jeff Reser said.

"Now through July 3 we will be planning this event," Positive Seekers said of next summer's Red, White and Blues. "We also need input. What sounds good? What would you like to see us offer? How do you feel we can better meet the needs of our community through this event?"

Positive Seekers meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at 1065 E. Beal Ave., Apt. 54.

"We would welcome the attendance of a representative from your organization to ask us questions, to give us feedback and to initiate a dialogue to make this event a true community vision."

Anyone wishing to help sponsor Red, White and Blues can contact Positive Seekers president Joe Graham at 419-569-4177, Carolyn Shireman at 419-689-2761 or 419-562-0993, or they can visit Positive Seekers' Facebook page. They can also call the mayor's office at 419-562-6767, ext. 221.

"It will be a day they won't soon forget," Shireman said.

thill3@nncogannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ