This summer Port Clinton has proposed a new Kids Zone at its Meals On Madison initiative. Last year, Meals On Madison (or “MOM” as it has become known) was created as a reaction to Covid-19 realities for downtown Port Clinton restaurant and retail businesses, allowing residents to enjoy an outdoor common space on Madison Street with tables for eating, gathering safely, and some live music.

This year Port Clinton officials, Main Street Port Clinton, and several downtown businesses have proposed the implementation of “MOM 2.0,” which will be a more organized, extensive, and collaborative effort. It will have a new outdoor stage donated by Live Nation, and a calendar that will include live music by Northwest Ohio’s best acts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sunday afternoons.

The new entertainment schedule is “Music On Madison.”

“Last year MOM attracted lots of local folks and business to the downtown in a challenging time,” said Ron Nisch, a Port Clinton attorney who has been booking the MOM venue. “We’re confident that this year, with the greatly enhanced entertainment schedule, MOM will be a magnet for folks from all around the area to enjoy Port Clinton, and to frequent its restaurants and businesses.

“The effort seeks to also provide a family friendly atmosphere, and so we are proposing activities for kids. For example, this year Ida Rupp Public Library will conduct its Story Time at MOM. The Kid Zone will provide more creative, interesting, structured activities for kids.

“The idea is to allow families with kids to have quality activities for their children, while enjoying a meal and the live entertainment. We are looking for a sponsor to make the Kids Zone a reality,” said Nisch.

The proposal for the Kids Zone will be implemented by Annie Head, a Port Clinton School District teacher and Drama Club Director. The proposal is currently crafted for activities to be held two days per week at early evening times, for two hour sessions, during the eight weeks of June and July.

“Activities would be scheduled on one week night when there is not live entertainment, such as Monday, and also on a show night such as Thursday, but before the live music begins,” Nisch said. “We think this is a great opportunity for a sponsor whose business is geared toward families and kids.”

Plans include a Kid Zone table, chalk drawing night; story night; a fitness/chalk obstacle course to jump rope, yoga or dance; science night, arts and craft night; puzzle night; and nature night. Sponsorship costs for the Kid Zone are nominal. For more information contact Main Street Port Clinton at 419-734-5503.

The Kids Zone timeline is planned for two classes per week, on Monday and Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. The eight-week program would include Session 1 on Mondays in June and Session 2 on Mondays in July. The sessions would be an hour long and repeated, allowing for families to come and go.

To be constructed is a Kids Zone table, designed by the Port Clinton High School shop students and CAD Class, and constructed by city workers.