BY PC MAYOR MIKE SNIDER

Did you know that the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, this year slated for April 12 at 10 a.m. at Lakeview Park (rain date April 19 same time/location), is the only community event solely planned, funded and executed by the City of Port Clinton? Everything else we get to enjoy throughout the year – the entertainment on Madison, Walleye Drop, 4-Ps Festival, Arts in the Park, Walleye Festival, Car Shows, Lighthouse Festival, Burning Snowman, 4th of July, etc. – are planned and carried out by groups of people sharing common interests in the aforementioned event and a committed passion to the community. Yes, the City plays a role in all of these activities – setting up fencing, security, space – but the major components of planning, funding and execution are outside the City’s scope of services.

Before Main Street, the Walleye Festival was a product of the American Legion for the first year, and then a group comprised of Willard & Judy Smith, Snip & Sharon Snider, Linda & Dave Sorg, Elmer & Joyce Bradshaw, Terry & Scott Jones, Doug & Paula Brown, Mark Harnisch and a few others that popped in for a year or more managed the festival for the next three decades.

Most communities have one big event that the citizens rally around and look forward to attending. However, I’m not aware of any other community the size of PC that has so many events during all corners of the calendar year.

For me, the most amazing fact about these events is that each one is undertaken, not for personal gain, but to benefit some aspect of the community. They certainly provide entertainment for those that attend, a point of pride in their community, a means of demonstrating an individual’s specific talent or skill, a temporary escape from regular life, historical recognition, positive economic impact for our community, scholarship dollars for our kids, picnic tables for the parks and the gazebo on Adams, and so much more has been derived from these community gatherings.

None of these events just happen. In most cases, a full year of meetings, discussions, fundraising, planning and quite a bit of prayer is involved.

The next time you attend an area event, take a look around and ask yourself if you think you have the time, talent and skill to lend a hand. Every independent organizational group associated with these activities would love to have your help.