BY SHERI TRUSTY

The community has been invited to Hazelpaluza on Saturday, a downtown Port Clinton event to support the family of three-year-old Hazel Brown of Catawba as she fights brain cancer. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The community is once again gathering to support one of Ottawa County’s youngest cancer patients. On Saturday, Sept. 16, local residents and business owners are hosting Hazelpaluza in downtown Port Clinton to raise funds for the family of three-year-old Hazel Brown of Catawba who has a rare, inoperable and fatal form of brain cancer.

The funds will help her parents, Wes and Leah Brown, with travel, lodging and life expenses.

Hazelpaluza will feature live entertainment on the Madison Street stage beginning with Higher Ground from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The other performers are Canyon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Barricade from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the BarCode Band from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider organized the community event, and said many of the performers have been touched by cancer in some way.

“It’s personal for them on many levels,” Snider said.

Hazelpaluza will include 50/50 raffles and raffle baskets. The All In To Win Foundation, which is handling financial donations for the family, will be on site to accept donations and sell t-shirts.

In addition to the day’s entertainment, several downtown area businesses, stretching from Ala Carte Café on the south end to Saucy Slices Pizza on the north, will donate a portion of the day’s sales to Hazelpaluza.

“Everyone is encouraged to come down and have a great time,” Snider said. “Bring your wallet, your credit card and your checkbook and shop and eat.”

Snider said he is very grateful to everyone who helped organize Hazelpaluza and to the community for supporting the Brown family.

“From the moment the community started to hear about Hazel, I’ve been emotionally overwhelmed by all the support,” Snider said.

To make donations to the Brown family, make checks payable to All In To Win Foundation, put “Hazel” in the memo, and mail them to 4669 Gulf Blvd. #197, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706.