Buzzard Sunday expected to make a return March 20

by Chris Studor

After taking a short hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinckley’s beloved Buzzard Sunday is expected to make a return in 2022 and the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce “is optimistic and ready to go,” said Melinda Mallari, Hinckley Chamber of Commerce president.

The event will take place Sunday, March 20, at its new location in the recently opened Hinckley Elementary School, 1157 Ridge Rd. A free shuttle will be available to take visitors to and from the school for a pancake breakfast and other activities to the Buzzard Carnival, which will take place at the former fire station at the center of town.

For those unfamiliar with the event, Buzzard Sunday marks the annual returnof the buzzards to the township of Hinckley. Its history can be traced back to 1957 when Walter Nawalaniec, a patrolman for Cleveland Metroparks, told a newspaper reporter that the buzzards returned to the Whipp’s Ledges area in the Hinckley Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks each March 15 like clockwork.

When word first got out, thousands of people swarmed the township, which had only been prepared to handle a small crowd. It didn’t take long for the township to capitalize on the idea and soon Buzzard Sunday was born.

In addition to Buzzard Sunday activities, the Cleveland Metroparks traditionally hosts a special buzzard spotting day in the Hinckley Reservation March 15 for visitors to try and spot the first of the buzzards, also known as turkey vultures, coming to roost in the ledges.

Buzzard sausage, which is made and sold exclusively for Buzzard Sunday, will be available for pickup March 12, the Saturday prior to Buzzard Sunday. Additional details will be forthcoming.

“We are fine tuning all the details andwill have all the final information in the coming months,” Mallari said.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor, are asked to call 330-212-5986. ∞