The new Put-in-Bay Community Sign has not only attracted visitors looking for a fun photo op, but it has also helped hundreds of people discover the beauty of South Bass Island State Park. Pictured here are Put-in-Bay Community Sign committee members, left to right: Brad Ohlemacher, Jordan Jenkins, Wendy Chambers, Paul Jeris, Sara Booker, Brian Cultice, Julene Market and Mike Pucak. (Photo by Chase Eagleson)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Thanks to immense support from islanders, the new Put-in-Bay Community Sign has helped more people discover the beauty of South Bass Island State Park. The sign, which was unveiled in June, is another element of Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce’s new brand, “An Every Day Island Getaway,” which the chamber launched last year to promote weekday island visits to families and empty nesters.

In June, Put-in-Bay Community Sign project committee member Sara Booker hosted Pink Party, a kickoff fundraiser which raised an initial $8,000 for the sign.

“We had several fundraisers, including tours of the Benson Ford Shiphouse,” Booker said. “And we sold 75 bricks that were installed at the base of the sign.”

Booker said hundreds of people have taken selfies with the sign this summer, but the sign’s impact stretched beyond fun photos ops.

“The sign has drawn hundreds and hundreds of people to the state park who never would have discovered its beauty,” Booker said. “You can swim there, sit on a blanket in the grass, skip stones and hunt beach glass. There’s a boat ramp, and you can rent jet skis and kayaks out there.”

The sign has already become an integral part of the island’s charm.

“This sign will become iconic for the island community, the state park sunsets, and to the visitors coming to the island for years to come,” said Put-in-Bay Chamber Director Wendy Chambers.

Visitors are encouraged to post their photos using #putinbaysign.

Booker is grateful to the project committee members for their hard work.

“It was definitely a committee effort. I had a wonderful committee,” Booker said.