Bucyrus to hold Hobo Day at the former Toledo and Ohio Central station

The trains that roll on past the former Toledo and Ohio Central station here in Bucyrus on May 27 will not yield any hobos, although I do not know that for sure. What you can count on is the arrival of vintage and restored automobiles.

A car show is coming for the first time on that last Saturday of May. There will be participants from The Eliminators Car Club. They will be joined by others like Ben Rexroad and John Cauvel from our Preservation Society Board who are anxious to bring in their own version of "pride and joy." The cars will be lined up on the stone driveway. You can leisurely look at each car and talk with the owners who are always so pleased to share the adventure of their handiwork. There are trophies and dash magnets for participants. They will all be winners.

Restoration thoughts may bring people to the event, yet The Preservation Society wishes to make this fun and even more interesting. Visitors will be streaming through the station for tours. On our small silver screen a short video which captured details of the day we moved the caboose will be playing so you can see the fascinating endeavor. The recently situated blue caboose sits proudly on its own piece of track in the yard and can be viewed.

Some newer items have been added to the gift shop. There's more. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. food vendors are coming to the north end of the lot. On the grassy stretches you will find several other display and sales vendors. Sweet Thangs Kettle Corn makers LeAnn and Jeremy are back again.

Chef Shack, with two types of chicken, and Center Street Market, bringing brats, hamburgers and hot dogs, can manage appetites. We have picnic tables where you can eat and listen to music from the '50s and '60s. You may want to sample a short massage from Matt Johnson.

Adam Cox has offered to bring his blacksmithing skills to the grounds. Lisa Malone markets plants and flowers, homemade goodies like jams and jellies, and may even have some produce. Wood crafting with barn siding is Doug Snyder's skill. Our own Jim Gillenwater is making an appearance with his decorative wood items. Pampered Chef representative Jessica Hetzel has a great variety of quality cooking items and recipe ideas.

Here's the thing — if you have a passport from the History Alliance, you can get it stamped that day. If you need a passport, these will be available.

If you register on our visitor list just inside the depot main door you will be eligible for door prizes. You do not have to be present to win. Bring your visiting family members down to 700 E. Rensselaer St. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 27 as a way of celebrating the holiday.

We guarantee that both trains and cars will be rolling through the event. For more information, call 419-561-1066 or 419-569-2794.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.