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Barge parties cancelled

The Sandusky Bay Barge Parties which have been held the last few years off Bay Point on the south shore of Marblehead have been cancelled for 2013, according to an online Facebook posting by the organizers. They have held two per year over the past few years, on the last Saturday in June and July. As you can see from the photo the events were extremely popular with the boaters of Lake Erie. According to a report in the Sandusky Register, event organizer Shaun Bickley of Sandusky said the primary reason for cancelling is financial. He cited increasing insurance costs as the primary culprit. Bickley and his partners brought a dredging and construction barge from Sandusky to the sand bar south of Marblehead and converted it into a giant stage with local bands entertaining the revelers.

The Earthquakers will rock the tent at the Walleye Festival

Back by popular demand, the Earthquakers will be performing at the Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival on Friday, May 24, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent sponsored by Baumann Auto Group. Brothers Jacob Byler, Seth Byler and Isaiah Work left all their cares at the door to have the time of their lives. They brought together the power of rhythm to create this unique band. Check out their website at www.Earthquakers.com. For a complete schedule of events at the Walleye Festival, visit www.walleyefestival.com.

Young Eagles Rally & airport open house May 18

This weekend young people ages 8-17 will have a chance to take to the skies. On Saturday, May 18, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1247 will be hosting a Young Eagles Rally as a part of the airport’s “Learn to Fly Day” activities. This event will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport, 3255 E. State Road, Port Clinton.

“Free airplane rides for area youth are just a part of the Rally,” said Lisa Benjamin, President of EAA Chapter 1247. “We hope to give a new generation the chance to learn more about all the possibilities available in the world of aviation.” Following the flight, each young person will receive a certificate making them an official Young Eagle. Their name will be entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook”, which is on permanent display at EAA Air Adventure Museum in Oshkosh, WI. The logbook is also accessible online at www.youngeagles.org

Learn to Fly Day was created to invite all people interested in the world of flight to discover more by meeting local aviators and learning the initial steps toward earning a pilot’s license. In addition to the Young Eagle flights, the airport open house will offer food and beverages. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet local airport staff, talk to flight instructors and EAA members and learn more about other aviation opportunities such as joining a flying club.

Stan Gebhardt, manager of the airport stated, “We look forward to building one-on-one relationships with members of the community to help them learn all that general aviation has to offer.”

For more information, contact the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport at 419-734-6297.

Riding the Gatekeeper, Cedar Point's new coaster

At Cedar Point’s Media Day on Thursday, while waiting to take my first ride on The Gatekeeper, Cedar Point’s newest attraction, I felt the anticipation and excitement building. That anticipation was prolonged as we were told a rider needed to get on before us. That rider was Matt Ouimet, President and CEO of Cedar Point. My companion joked to Ouimet that he was prolonging her nervousness. He assured her she would love the ride and that it is one of the smoothest rides he has ever been on.

Art Walk premieres in Historic Downtown Port Clinton

The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council (GPAAC) and Historic Downtown Port Clinton art galleries and venues have united to form Art Walk, a free downtown art celebration, on the fourth Thursday of each month beginning on May 23 from 5 until 8 pm.

Along with the GPCAAC, art galleries, restaurants and other businesses will support the monthly trek. Opening receptions will be held at many of the galleries, along with refreshments and music. Various restaurants and businesses will provide a musical interlude as well as hosting an Artist between 5 pm and 8 pm as art patrons wander from one art stop to the next.