There will be more fathers in Bluffton this Father's Day than ever before.
Most of the fathers will arrive on bicycles.
GOBA - the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure - arrives in Bluffton on Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day). Over 2,000 bikers will tool through town from Van Wert via Columbus Grove Road to Grove Street, then Jackson, then College Avenue...on to the GOBAville campgrounds on the Bluffton University practice fields at Rosenberger and Elm.
While countless events are planned for the visitors, all events, activities and food choices are open to the public.
The bikers will spend Sunday in Bluffton and before you know it, Monday morning, they are off to Defiance.
Following is the GOBA schedule of events. Activites take place during the afternoon on Bluffton University campus, downtown (Main Street will be blocked off from Main to Citizens National Bank parking lot) from 1 to 6 p.m.
Many downtown businesses will be open and entertainment is planned.
In addition, Southgate Lanes' first-ever Summerfest takes place from 3 p.m. to dusk.
Due to the influx of visitors, Bluffton's food options expand tremendously on Sunday, Several non-profit groups are in the act, as the schedule shows.
Here is the GOBA schedule.
• • CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
Information booth operating from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Map of Bluffton showing locations of all activities
• Shuttle bus information
• Explore Bluffton visitors’ guides
• Sunday and Monday schedule of events
• Restaurant and eating options list
• Information from Defiance (next GOBA stop)
• (Bluffton information will be in Van Wert information booth on Saturday)
Town shuttle bus
Six Bluffton school buses run continually from 1 to 8 p.m. (15-20 minute intervals)
Stops: • Elm St. at Rosenberger Drive • Elm-Main stoplight • N. Main and Lake
• Comfort Inn • Bluffton Public Library • Southgate Lanes • Dair Freeze • return to campus
Swiss Homestead-Nature Preserve shuttle bus
University vans run continually from 1:45-6 p.m. (30-minute intervals)
to Swiss Homestead and Bluffton University Nature Preserve
Stops: Bentley Road near Hirschy and Ramseyer residence halls
Entertainment
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. - Santa Gainey
Dressed in casual summer outfit; playing ‘80s-‘90s music and requests
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Stephen Johnson, Irish bagpiper, roaming campground
• 5 p.m. - Captain James Riley (Dr. Darrell Groman), storyteller in historical outfit
• Jon Guagenti – Chain saw carver demonstration with items for sale, 1-5 p.m.
Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center
Riley Court, 2 to 5 p.m., Louise Matthews, director, will be present
Bluffton University Nature Preserve
On Augsburger Road shuttle route. Will be open to visitors from noon to 6 p.m.
1840s Schumacher homestead
The homestead at 8350 Bixel Road will be open to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. Barn tours, house tours, garden and animals, $5 admission for persons 15 and older; free for youths 14 and under.
Sand volleyball and tennis
Volleyball and tennis court available for use
• • DOWNTOWN ACTIVITIES
Main Street closed from Common Grounds to Citizens National Bank parking lot 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. with performance area in front of Common Grounds
Entertainment
• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. - Don Hurless Trio - jazz
• 2:30 - ?? - Jim Boedicker - guitarist
Other downtown activities
• Shannon Theatre, “Jurassic World,” (PG-13), show times 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Shows in 3-D at 4 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Slaw Cutter Co., 331 N. Main St., open for tours (by donation), noon to 6 p.m.
• John Dillinger 1933 bank robbery historical talk, corner Main and Church, where it took place, several talks given between 2 and 3 p.m. (if you miss one you can caught the next talk)
Main Street shops open 1 to 5 p.m.
• Common Grounds
• Et Cetera Shop
• Ten Thousand Villages
• Town and Country Flowers
• Book ReViews
• Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn
• The Black Lab
• CG Pro Bikes
• Bluffton Marathon
• Luke’s Bar and Grill (with live band)
• Spectrum Salon, 442 N. Main St.
• Cellular Central (Verizon)142 W. Jefferson St., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gallery 323, 323 N. Main St., afternoon
Bluffton Public Library open 2 to 8 p.m., with electronic charging stations available for bikers. The library will also be open for browsing.
Bluffton Community Swimming Pool, 205 Snider Road, 1-6 p.m., cost $2 for GOBA riders
Downtown food options
• Mustard Seed Café, 562 N. Main, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., sit-down dining
• Tu Pueblo Mexican Restaurant, 142 N. Main, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Mexican
• Luke’s Bar and Grill, 133 N. Main, 11 a.m.-1 a.m., full menu
• Larson’s Barbecue (at The Black Lab), 121 N. Main, 1 a.m.-1 p.m., barbecue chicken
• Bluffton Senior Citizens Center, 132 N. Main, 3-6 p.m., salad bar, bake sale
• Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 112 N. Main St., 2-6 p.m., vegetarian and wraps
• Common Grounds Coffeehouse and Café, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 101 S. Main, coffee, sandwiches
• China Wok, 555 N. Main, Chinese cusine
• Padrone’s Pizza, 147 N. Main, pizza
• East of Chicago Pizza, 407 N. Main, pizza
• Bluffton Dair Freeze, 595 S. Main, ice cream, sandwiches
Food options on Bluffton University campus
• Marbeck Center – Sodexo Food Service, Sunday and Monday,
Italian buffet, Monday AM breakfast
• Bluffton University soccer team, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., water
• Jay Lugibihl homemade ice cream, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bluffton Boy Scouts, Sunday 10 a.m-5 p.m.; Monday 5 a.m.-10 a.m.
hamburgers, cold drinks, coffee,
• University Nutritionists, Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday 5 a.m. – 10 a.m.
coffee, scones, fruit cups, homemade pumpkin bread
• Coffee Amor, Monday, 5-10 a.m., coffee, rolls, crumb cakes
Food options off campus and off Main Street
• Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W. Elm, time to be announced, walking tacos
• Larson’s Barbecue, Elm St., across street from campus campground,
Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Monday 5 a.m.-10 a.m. brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken
• Youth for Christ, 111 W. College Ave., Sunday 2-8 p.m.; Monday-5-10 a.m.
Coffee, rolls, pancakes, sausage
• Bluffton Lions Club, St. John’s UCC, 223 W. College Ave., Monday, 5-9 a.m.,
coffee, muffins, egg casserole
• • SOUTHGATE LANES ACTIVITIES
First-ever Southgate Lanes Summerfest
9700 N. Dixie Highway – all event outdoors
Open 3 to 9 p.m.
Band: Chez Cheese, Lima, performs from 4 to 8 p.m.
Food: • Trans Am, Findlay – meatballs and subs; • Stix, Findlay – tba
Bring IDs - Alcohol will be available.
Outdoor games available: Corn hole, washers, oversized Jenga Game
Shuttle service: • Southgate will be on the shuttle route from 3 to 8 p.m.
Benefit: Proceeds benefit the Southgate Lanes Junior bowling league
Interstate 75
• McDonalds • Wendy’s • Taco Bell • Arby’s • Subway • Burger King
