SPONSORS … Many of the participants for the 2025 Firecracker 5K in Wauseon stood in front of the Chamber of Commerce building with a sign that listed the event sponsors.
SIGNS POSTED … A group of children hold up signs to cheer on someone they knew in this year’s Firecracker 5K.
(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
FIRST PLACE … Quinn Mitchell of Fayette was the first runner to go through the finish line at the 2025 Firecracker 5K in Wauseon.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon Firecracker 5K brought energy and community pride to downtown Wauseon on Thursday, May 15, as runners and walkers gathered for the fifth annual race.
Organized by the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce and supported by local sponsors and volunteers, the event combined fitness, fun, and fundraising for a cause that lights up the city each summer.
Participants kicked off the 3.1-mile race in front of the Chamber of Commerce on Fulton Street and followed a route that wound through downtown streets and wooded sections of the Homecoming Park before finishing on Commercial Street, right before the intersection at South Fulton Street.
First held in 2021, the event was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to bring the community together through a safe, outdoor activity.
It was originally scheduled for the Thursday of Memorial Day weekend, but as post-COVID life grew busier, organizers decided to move it up by one week last year. That change worked well for participants and volunteers, and the earlier date has remained ever since.
Around 50 participants signed up for this year’s race, with a few more joining on the day of the event. Registration included a Dri-FIT shirt and an energy package.
All proceeds go directly toward the City of Wauseon’s Fourth of July fireworks show. Each year, the event raises about $3,000 to help fund the display, and the Wauseon Fire Department is also able to purchase new equipment for the show with the support.
The race continues to be a team effort, with several local organizations playing important roles. The Wauseon Rotary Club operates a water station at the park, ensuring runners stay hydrated.
The Wauseon Masonic Lodge assists with traffic control, working alongside police officers and city employees to help direct participants and keep intersections safe.