Annual Buzzard Day events canceled again, but sausage sale is on

by Dan Holland

Once again Buzzard Day, which dates back to 1957, has been canceled in Hinckley Township.

Thousands annually flock to the township each year in mid-March to celebrate the return of the turkey vultures from their winter nesting grounds.

The first-ever cancellation of the event occurred last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year’s Buzzard Sunday event, scheduled for March 21, has also been canceled.

One of the highlights of the annual event, organized by the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce, is the pancake breakfast and crafts fair held at Hinckley Elementary School. Proceeds raised benefit local charities and a college scholarship program available to high school students.

The Chamber is still making the famous sausage available for pre-order, according to Chamber secretary Melinda Mallari.

Residents turned out in droves last year to purchase the sausage after it was announced at the last minute that the event would be canceled.

A number of residents contacted the chamber this year via social media to inquire whether the sausage would again be made available for purchase.

“It’s a comfort thing,” Mallari said. “This way, you can come and get your Buzzard Day sausage, then you can go home and make your own pancakes and eggs to go with it and kind of feel like you’re there – a virtual event on your own.”

The sausage, which comes in 5-pound boxes, can be ordered through March 10 at www.hinckleyohchamber.com or through the group’s Facebook page. Orders can be picked up on March 20.

Mallari said she’s glad the sales will still allow the chamber to benefit the local scholarship fund.

“We already have 250 pounds sold,” she said. “We’re already committed to handing out scholarships, and it’s great that we’ll be able to continue to fund them again this year. There’s a tab on our website for the scholarships where Hinckley students can apply, and we’re now accepting applications. It just all ties together.”

According to Jeffrey Tolman, communications and outreach manager for Cleveland Metroparks, an official Buzzard Spotting Day will not be hosted this year, but park naturalists will be on hand at Buzzard Roost in Hinckley Reservation from 8-10 a.m. on March 15 and from 10 a.m.-noon on March 22 to help spot buzzards and answer visitor’s questions.

A Metroparks naturalist will host a virtual program entitled “School of the Wilds: Buzzards” at 7 p.m. on March 20. Visit clevelandmetroparks.com for more information. ∞

Featured image caption: Though the pandemic canceled Buzzard Day this year, nothing can stop Binky the Buzzard’s 40th birthday. Resident Karl Kastl Jr. created the cartoon character in 1981, at the request of his late wife, Sherri, who wanted to find a way to get young people more involved in Buzzard Day activities. Residents can also enjoy their traditional Buzzard Day breakfast sausage this year, thanks to the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce. Cartoon by Karl Kastl Jr