By Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com

The theme of this column is "trying new things." I'm happy to be starting this new project of writing the entertainment column for Leisure Living Magazine! I've done all I could to make the entertainment listing complete and varied, so there should be something for everyone. Although I've done my best to make sure all the information is accurate, please go online or call ahead to confirm your plans.

Any suggestions and details of your upcoming events can be sent to me at catharinehadley@gmail.com.

September

15-17, 21-24 - "Bonnie and Clyde," Toledo Repertoire Theatre

15 - Jazz @ 8 presents "Celebrating the Torch Singers," Sandusky State Theatre

15 - Toledo Symphony Orchestra presents "The Music of Prince," Promenade Park

15-17 - Ford Tri-Motor "City of Port Clinton" rides, Liberty Aviation Museum

16 - Wine Fest and Art Fair, Kelleys Island

16 - New Year's Eve at the Bay, Put-in-Bay

16 - Toledo Symphony Orchestra presents "Ohio State vs. Michigan," Stranahan Theatre

16 - Dragons and Bacon Fest, a race of 40-foot dragon boats with food vendors featuring bacon, Sandusky Bay at Paper District Marina

16 - Main Street Vermilion presents Tour of Homes

19-24 - "The Book of Mormon," Stranahan Theatre20-23 - "Rise Above" Tuskegee Airmen Traveling Exhibit and WWII PT-51 Red Tail Mustang, Liberty Aviation Museum

21 - Vermilion Chamber of Commerce presents Third Thursday Music, Flowers and a Sunset

22-24 - Sixth Annual North Coast Oktoberfest, Sandusky State Theatre

22-24 - Port Clinton Homecoming Festival sponsored by the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce

23 - Feathers and Foliage Bird Festival, Kelleys Island

23 - Yankee Air Museum's WWII C-47 Skytrain Air Adventure Rides, Liberty Aviation Museum

23 - Half-Way to St. Patty's Day, Put-in-Bay

24 - Spiegel Grove Squires old-time base ball game, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont

24 - "Fired Up About Art" Art Walk presented by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, downtown Port Clinton

29-30 - The Toledo Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven's "Eroica," Toledo Museum of Art

30 - Harvest Fest, Kelleys Island

30 - Classic Car Show, Marblehead

30 - Tailgate Weekend, Put-in-Bay

Every attempt is made to provide accurate information, however,
we encourage you to double check the details of these events!

A 1950s Tradition Roars Back To Life

The Put-in-Bay Road Races and Reunion is scheduled for Aug. 28 through 30 at the Put-in-Bay Airport. Peter Huston, island ambassador for the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, is looking forward to the event - in part, because he is the son of a father who loved to restore old cars.

"Back in the fifties and the late sixties there was a car race on the island. During those years they literally raced on the streets of the island. Flat-out, crazy racing," he said. "Everybody loved coming here to watch the races."

About 10 years ago, the children of the people who had participated decided to have a reunion."I think they got maybe 25 or 30 people who showed up with cars," Huston said. The drivers used the old race route - but drove"casually" this time.

The reunions continued. "The word grew and the excitement and interest grew to the point where they said, 'Wouldn't it be fun if we could actually have the race again?'" The organizers approached the Put-in-Bay Port Authority, which allows the airport runways to be used for the race event.

"On Monday they have time trials, and then they start racing in their classes. This year we have at least 135 cars registered," Huston said. People from 19 different states, including California and East Coast states, are attending.

Huston said he expects about 600 people will come to the island as part of the race, and at least 500 spectators will attend each race day. They tend to bond based on the types of cars they favor. "Sometimes clubs come. This year we've got an Alpha Romeo club that's going to come. That really spurs a new group of people who enjoy coming here."

Visitors can also enjoy the car show, and watching drivers retrace the old race route that was used more than 50 years ago. "Some people bring their cars but don't race," Huston said. Spectators can watch the actual races from the "Fan Zone" - bleachers under a tent - for free.

"We're trying to make it accessible to anybody," Huston said.

For more information and updates, visit the Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion page on Facebook.

Remember, the event precedes the Aug. 31 Toby Keith concert, which will also be held at the airport.

Time for melons!

The small village of Milan, with a population of fewer than 1,500, greets about 100,000 people who visit over Labor Day Weekend for the Milan Melon Festival. The classic car show is Saturday, and the grand parade is Sunday. The perennial favorite, melon ice cream, is available the entire time!

Starry Night

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council will kick off the three-day Appetite for the Arts "Starry Night" event, which runs from Aug. 18 through 20, with a Friday night party. The show is at Brands Boat Works, 124 Laurel St., Port Clinton. The Evening with the Arts will feature a "Canvas Madness" battle - 15 artists painting works that will be auctioned during the evening. A cash bar, food trucks, and live music will be available.

updated 09.11.17 CAE