BUCYRUS — For 50 years, the Crawford County Community Concert Association has brought nationally recognized musicians to Bucyrus, but the organization’s roots stretch back even further.
Leonard Kocher and his late wife, Katie, had been to many of the concerts over the decades.
“Katie and I enjoyed going to concerts and we were able to see and support the concert association and talent locally,” Kocher said.
He still attends the monthly concerts each season, but now with his niece and other family members.
“It is a great way to see top-quality musical talent at a very reasonable price,” Kocher said.
Season memberships are now on sale for the association’s 2026-27 season, which includes five concerts ranging from Broadway favorites and tribute bands to Christmas classics.
“We are in the middle of our 2026-27 season ticket sales now,” said Randy Fischer, a member of the association’s board of directors.
While the association is celebrating 50 years of concerts, Fischer said its history dates back more than 80 years.
“Depending on who’s counting,” Fischer said with a smile. “The Crawford County Community Concert Association began in 1944.”
Established as the Bucyrus Community Concert Association, the all-volunteer nonprofit group was created by local residents who wanted to bring high-quality live entertainment to the Bucyrus area during difficult times brought on by World War II.
Fischer said the BCCA experienced two periods of inactivity, 1951-1955 and 1959-1976.
“It’s a reminder that volunteer organizations can sometimes struggle, especially when they are new and just starting out,” Fischer said.
Longtime board member Linda Leyda said that under the leadership of Olen Martin Jr., the organization was revived in 1976 and reopened with a performance by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
As its reach expanded beyond Bucyrus, the Bucyrus Community Concert Association became the Crawford County Community Concert Association to reflect its countywide mission.
“Although there were two breaks during the 1950s, the Concert Association has now been going strong since 1976,” Leyda said. “This year is the 50th consecutive year of providing quality, family-friendly and affordable musical entertainment for Crawford County and North Central Ohio.”
For decades, Bucyrus has remained the heart of the organization. Concerts are held in the Bucyrus Elementary School Auditorium.
“The association also played a major role in helping restore the auditorium through a privately funded renovation completed between 1996 and 2001 and later helped secure funding for additional stage improvements in 2018,” Leyda said.
She said the performances audiences enjoy each season are made possible through the efforts of volunteers.
“The board members from the Crawford County area are responsible for transforming the Bucyrus Elementary School Auditorium into a true performance venue in just a matter of hours,” she said. “After the doors open, board members sell walk-in tickets, distribute playbills and usher guests to their seats.”
When the final curtain falls, the work continues.
“At the end of the performance, the entire process is reversed as volunteers help return the auditorium to its everyday use,” Leyda said.
Board members, who are elected to three-year terms, help shape each concert season.
“Board members vote each fall on a list of potential performers for the following season,” Leyda said. “Our goal is always to bring the best quality and widest variety of entertainment possible to local audiences.”
Over the past quarter-century, the association has welcomed a number of nationally known performers to Bucyrus, including Glen Campbell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, John Tesh, Melissa Manchester, Debby Boone, The Lettermen, GENTRI, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and the Ohio State University Marching Band.
The 2026-27 lineup includes:
Season memberships are available and provide admission to all five concerts. Individual tickets will also be available beginning July 15.
“The best financial bargain is the purchase of a season membership,” Leyda said. “The Crawford County Community Concert Board continues to strive to bring the best quality and best variety of entertainment to area residents at very reasonable prices.”
Membership forms, performer preview videos and ticket information are available at www.crawcocommconcert.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crawford County concert series marks 50 years
Reporting by Kim Gasuras, Special to Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum / Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kim Gasuras, Special to Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum | USA TODAY Network
