Page 22 - Leisure Living Magazine: May 2021 Edition

Summer Fun And Smiles
Come To Port Clinton
By Sherri Roth, Feature Writer
“In 2020, a year of uncertainty for the entire world, our little slice of heaven finally hit the mapasTHEplacetobe,”proudlystatesNicole Kochensparger, President of Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce. She cites last May’s launching of Meals on Madison (M.O.M) as the catalyst for bringing back vigor to Port Clinton’s downtown. “Meals on Madison started out as an effort to save our struggling restaurants
has been donated by Live Nation. Beginning Friday, June 4th, the stage will be home to the free summerconcertseriesRiverfrontLive,heldevery Friday night from 6-7:30 through August. The popular Main Street Outdoor Refreshment Area (M.O.R.A) is back this year with an increase in the number of participating businesses. Look for new signage, as well as more guidance regarding how M.O.R.A works. The culture-enriching
Art Walks have returned this summer and will be held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month beginning in May. A new downtown event, the Sunday Farmers’ Market, will offer fresh lakeshore produce, baked goods and more, starting on Sunday, June 20 and running through October.
Wylie Walleye, a beloved community and global fixture, will continue to grace Madison Street and its festivities. He also will have a place of honor at the much- awaited 40th annual Walleye Festival, May 27 – 31. The festival will kick- off on Thursday night this year, opening at 5pm with entertainment by the Rumours
Stroll the downtown streets during twice monthly Art Walks.
by offering safe outdoor seating. We closed a portion of Madison Street for people to come and enjoy a meal and support local businesses. It became so much more than we ever could have imagined. The entertainment that we added only increased the excitement and foot traffic. Now, vacant buildings have been purchased and new businesses are opening because of M.O.M. We are so excited to expand this summer!”
2021 promises to offer visitors a “bigger and better” dining, shopping and entertainment experience in downtown Port Clinton. The M.O.M district is gaining a bakery, a gym and a candy store with other new eateries on their way, too. An additional 17 picnic tables have been added to the outdoor dining area. A large, concert-style stage
22 |LeisureLiving May 2021
band from 7-11pm. Highlights include a full schedule of bands each day, the 40th Annual Grand Parade (Saturday) and the Skipper Bud’s Kids’ Fishing Derby (Sunday).
This summer, Port Clinton invites you to spend time at the lakeshore, celebrating summer in its fun, safe, beautiful downtown setting. Nicole Kochensparger summarizes from the heart: “Port Clinton is my home. It’s where I raise my children. I take great pride in the success of not only our downtown, but all of Ottawa County. From our beautiful city beach, to the lighthouse, Meals on Madison, the shops, restaurants and parks, we are a safe place, within a short drive, for those looking to just get away from the chaos of the world.”
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