Word has been out for some time that ABC’s “The Bachelor” – starring Warsaw Community High School graduate Ben Higgins – will be filming again in Warsaw next weekend, but exactly what will be filmed hasn’t totally leaked yet.
Downtown Warsaw roads will be closed and some events will be shot around the courthouse square.
According to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Chad Hill, county officers will be providing security but they will be off-duty and no tax dollars will be used to pay them. Their compensation will be paid for by the company out of Los Angeles, Calif., that produces “The Bachelor.”
Hill could not provide details, like the number of officers that will be employed and where they will be, but also said the itinerary of the filming could change abruptly.
Robin Watters, owner of Rex’s Rendezvous, Warsaw, confirmed Friday morning that filming for the television reality show will take place at his establishment Oct. 23 from about 5 to 11 p.m.
“‘The Bachelor’ is coming in here for dinner. They’ll be filming in here for the show of his favorite bar in Warsaw. That’s what the producer said,” Watters said.
He said he didn’t know what time filming would actually take place as the crew has to set up their lighting and cameras. Watters guessed Higgins would probably come in around 7 or 8 p.m., but “it’s all yet to be seen.”
Watters said he’s meeting with the producer again Monday to discuss the set up.
Initially, Watters was going to do an “invitation only” night for the filming, but the producer told him they wanted the establishment left open to the public. But he has still taken requests for bar stools or booths for that Friday night.
As of Friday morning, Watters said the only booths he had left were already promised. Those who go to Rex’s could find it standing-room only.
“I’m not rotating seats every hour and taking reservations. I don’t think that’s a fair way to go with something like this. I’ve been to places that do that and it’s like, ‘Really? I barely finished my meal,’” Watters said.
He also was going to do a special dinner and bring in a special chef, but the producer said no.
“They just want to order off the menu because Ben says everything on our menu is fantastic, and it is,” Watters said.
Other than the filming, he said he had no idea of what ABC had planned for Friday night or who else might be with Higgins.
Watters said he thinks his daughters went to WCHS with Higgins.
“He comes in the evening shift, so I met him, but I think Ben’s only 25,” he said.
Entertainment Friday night at Rex’s will be Hometown Heroes, a local band, which will perform from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., depending on the show producers.
If there is a large crowd wanting to get into Rex’s that night, Watters said he would limit the number of people inside and will do a rotation.
“I have unlimited seating,” Watters said. “That’s part of being a grandfathered license – first liquor license in Warsaw. That’s why this was founded in 1933, the year Prohibition got lifted.”
As for what the show could do for his bar, Watters said, “I think it’s fantastic. We’ve been here since 1933, and my family has been here 38 years. It’s nice that they’re using the oldest business in downtown Warsaw for a location. Other than the Times-Union, which moved in 1950, but I’m in the original location.”
Over the years, Watters said Rex’s Rendezvous has been used for everything from hip-hop music videos, local independent movies and Ken Anderson films “but nothing at this national level.”
Spooktacular downtown Warsaw also is Friday night. Watters said he will still be passing out candy to all the children who come by his business.
“We’ll be giving out candy, too, because I’m not going to stop giving out candy. I always give candy out every year,” he said. “I absolutely refuse not to give out candy.”
“The Bachelor” and Higgins also were in town the weekend of Sept. 18 with camera crews shooting Higgins riding in a Corvette as part of the WCHS Homecoming Parade, among other activities.
The new season of ABC’s “The Bachelor” begins in January.
(Story By The Times Union)
