Olympian David Wottle will make an appearance at a special dedication Thursday in Wadsworth.
A 4-foot tall matchstick will be dedicated at Wadsworth City Hall at 4 p.m. It’s in honor of the MatchStick 5k/10k Challenge and the history goes back several decades.
In 1972, David Wottle was living in Wadsworth training for the Olympics and went on to win a very historical race in Munich, Germany. (You can watch the race via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LHid-nC45k). One year later, Wadsworth asked him to be the grand marshal of the Blue Tip Parade and carry a giant matchstick around.
Recently, the old Ohio Match Company property owners called Wadsworth MatchStick Race Director John Powell wanting to donate a replica match to the city — and that’s how it all began.
Powell asked Wottle what he remembers most about being grand marshal and his response wasn’t quite what Powell had expected.
“David said he remembered the matchstick leaking oil like crazy and he was worried his hand would catch fire.”
There are plans to possibly move the matchstick around to different locations on a yearly basis so more of the community can see it.
Wottle, who lives in Memphis, Tenn., will make his appearance during the ceremony via FaceTime.
The resurrected MatchStick 5k/10k Challenge is a twilight race set for 8 p.m. on June 26 at Art Wright Stadium. More info can be found here: www.matchstickrace.com.
