(Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

It’s time again for food and fun as the Marblehead Peninsula Lions Club hosts the 31st annual Perch Festival on Aug. 26 from at James Park. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade and runs through 5 p.m. This year’s grand marshal is the venerable Bob Boytim, 93, a fixture on the Village of Marblehead’s Board of Public Affairs.

“Bob is the longest serving elected official in Ohio. He was elected 62 consecutive years,” said Parade Chair Jane Pittman. “He has served the village of Marblehead well, and he is humbled to be selected as grand marshal.”

Parade participants must register in advance by calling Pittman at 540-327-4502. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. at Clemons Cemetery.

Members of the Marblehead Peninsula Lions Club met at the Marblehead VFW to plan the upcoming Perch Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

In addition to the event’s popular yellow perch dinners, the menu will include sandwiches, fries, hot dogs, sausage, French fries and cole slaw. Credit cards and cash are accepted.

The event will feature vendors, kids games, raffles, a musician and live music by Gary Cover. A car show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration is necessary for the car show, but participants must sign up for dash plaques. Cars should arrive by 9 a.m.

The Ted Dress Memorial Quarry Tours sponsored by Lafarge Quarry will be offered during the festival. A limited number of free tickets will be distributed. Tickets will be available at the prize tent.

This year’s Perch Festival will kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade on Saturday, Aug. 26. Children collect candy at last year’s Perch Festival parade. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Multiple drawings will be held throughout the event. Prizes include a 90-second Bassett’s Market shopping spree, a 2024 Bay Point Social Membership, six one-day adult Lakeside Chautauqua 2024 passes, a “Graceful Landing” print by Dianne Rozak, and a $100 Lion’s Appreciation Gift Card to Just for Ewe. Tickets cost $1 each or 6 for $5.

The Marblehead Peninsula Lions are grateful for the volunteer assistance of many Danbury school students, and they need more volunteer help to make the event a success. For information on volunteering at the Perch Festival, call Tod Kelly at 248-765-0892.

For information on becoming a vendor at the Perch Festival, call Fran Tuttamore at 419-967-1205 or Marla Hirt at 419-341-0828.

More information on the Perch Festival can be found on the Marblehead Peninsula Lions Facebook page.