BUCYRUS — When it comes to the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival, there are two things that have become icons for the event: Carle’s Bratwurst and an older gentleman clad in authentic lederhosen with a camera in hand.

That man is Manfred Hanke, or Fritz as he is known to his friends and family. He insists that the nickname was bestowed upon him by the Carle family decades ago, but Carla Koepke, co-owner of Carle’s Bratwurst, said she wasn’t sure who started the moniker.

The relationship between Hanke and Carle’s started decades ago. Hanke grew up in Germany during World War II and worked as a translator. The family of his soon-to-be wife, Betty, sponsored him to come to the United States.

Hanke became a bread man, delivering bread to businesses across Bucyrus – including Carle’s Bratwurst – for 20 years with first Neumeister’s then Pennington Bread, and finally Nickles Bakery, where he retired.

The first time Hanke attended a Bratwurst Festival was in 1968 and he never missed one after that.

“This really was my home away from home,” Hanke admitted as he strolled down Sandusky Avenue to meet the Carle’s Bratwurst float. “I like the atmosphere of the festival. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. It’s like a reunion coming to see old friends and make a few new ones.”

He wore his traditional black lederhosen with an alpine hat perched jauntily on his head and a pair of bright white tennis shoes on his feet. Hanke rarely slows down when it’s Bratwurst Festival time, keeping pace with all of the activities and never forgoing a chance to have his picture taken with the reigning queen.

“I enjoy the atmosphere, being around people,” Hanke explained. “It’s like a little Oktoberfest.”

Hanke’s daughter, Sonya Jarrell, often accompanies her father to the festival. She is no stranger to lederhosen and dirndls, having worn the traditional dress at events growing up.

“It’s just the joy of how happy he gets this time of year. He gets to see his friends and be around his heritage. It’s what he likes, what he loves,” Jarrell said.

It’s not unusual for a festival-goer to be stopped in the middle of Sandusky Avenue and asked if Hanke can take a picture of him or her. Sometimes the person will be wearing something German-themed or it is simply a friend Hanke hadn’t seen since the previous year.

Once Hanke made it to the Carle’s float for Friday’s parade, he whipped his camera out to take a photo of Carla Koepke in her blue and white dirndl. Familiar with Hanke and his camera, Koepke quickly posed for her long-time friend.

“Carle’s … they’re like family to me,” Hanke said. “They’re family. I was the favorite bread man, they were my favorite customer. Dorothy Carle, when she was living, she was responsible for getting me the parade marshal job in 1989.”

Though a Carle’s Bratwurst float hadn’t been entered in the festival’s parades for a number of years, the local company decided to step back into limelight for the 50th anniversary.

During Thursday’s parade, Hanke stood at the back of the float, waving at the crowd with a broad smile on his face while the Bratwurst Festival Princess contestants performed their royal waves in front of him. On Friday, he was joined by Carle’s employees and a few other Germans: Wynford exchange student Lisa Schoedel and Erna Heinlen, German native and Crawford County resident.

“He’s just always been in his lederhosen when he delivered,” Koepke said of Hanke when he brought bread to the store. “When he retired we always invited him along (on the floats). He enjoys it, he looks forward to it, we look forward to him being on it.”

The relationship between Hanke and Carle’s extends beyond just being the former bread man and joining them for a parade ride. Koepke said Hanke has assisted them with German trips and when he took trips to his native country, he would send postcards back to the Carle family.

“It’s not just having a delivery man. He’s been a friend for years,” Koepke said.