The Ottawa County Bluegrass Band played bluegrass love songs, toe-tappers and gospel favorites on the porch of the Oak Harbor Log Cabin.

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Proving again that bluegrass music is popular in Oak Harbor, more than 100 people filled the lawn in front of the Oak Harbor Log Cabin at Adolphus Kraemer Park in August to hear the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band pick, strum and sing their way through a string of old-time music hits. The band was invited to perform as part of the 2022 Log Cabin Summer Concert Series.

“I expected a big crowd tonight. The band has such a big following,” said Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association President Jane Whitaker.

Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association President Jane Whitaker introduces the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band at the Oak Harbor Log Cabin in August.

Marian Blevins of Port Clinton sat close to the log cabin porch so she could have a good view of her favorite band.

“I follow these people all the time. They are very good,” Blevins said. “And they are local Port Clinton people. I love that.”

Shirley Widman of Oak Harbor has attended several concerts at the Log Cabin, but she was especially looking forward to hearing the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band play.

“We just love bluegrass. This band is excellent,” Widman said. “They used to play in a barn in Gibsonburg, and we would go listen to them there. We love it.”

Other performers in the 2022 Log Cabin Summer Concert Series were guitarist and singer David T. Lester, singer-songwriter Bradley Hoffman, and soloist Dave Ninke. The concert series was hosted by Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association, which plans several activities at the park each year.

Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association President Jane Whitaker introduces the Ottawa County Bluegrass Band at the Oak Harbor Log Cabin in August.

“Rev. Gene Hegemier started the group years ago, and I inherited the president’s role after he passed away,” Whitaker said.

The association invites third graders from the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District and St. Boniface School to the log cabin each spring to experience the daily life of an 1860s Oak Harbor resident. The students learn how to make butter from scratch, watch clothes being washed without electricity, and peak inside an outhouse.

“Their Social Studies state mandates require them to contrast living in the 1860s with now, so we talk to them about the history of Oak Harbor and show them the antiques,” Whitaker said.

The Oak Harbor Log Cabin is used for community events during Christmas, Easter and Halloween, and it will be open to visitors during the Oak Harbor Apple Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8.