Etc: Sandusky County Fair set for Aug. 19-25

        The Sandusky County Fair welcomed more than 52,840 visitors in 2023, and organizers are hoping for even more at this year's fair, set for Aug. 19-25 at the county fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. Daily gate admission is $11.
        Daily highlights include:
        Aug. 19: 8 a.m. - Grand opening celebration; 5 p.m.- Royalty Parade; 7:30 p.m. - Fremont Speedway Sprint Car Races (admission $7 per person, free for those under 3 feet tall).
        Aug. 20: 6-9 p.m. Ottawa County Bluegrass Band at the Log Cabin.;  7 p.m. - Nick Foos opens followed by Cooper Alan concert (tickets $10-30).       
        Aug. 21: 1-4 p.m. – J.D. Owen at the Log Cabin; 6-9 p.m. - The Haywire Band at the Log Cabin; 6-9:30 p.m. - Stranger than Fiction at the Beer Garden Pavilion; 7 p.m. - Chicken, lamb and calf scramble at the Grandstands (admission $5; free for under 3 feet tall).
        Aug. 22: Free admission for veterans on courtesy of Whirlpool and seniors free courtesy of  Sabroske Electric and United Healthcare; 9 a.m. - Open Class Horse/Pony Speed Events; 11a.m.-1 p.m. - Dan Long & Friends at the Log Cabin; 2-5 p.m. - Uptown Country Band with Jim Sleek at the Log Cabin; 4 p.m. - Draft and Light-Legged Ponies, Horses, Mules Cart & Hitch Show; 6-9 p.m. - Candy Mitchell & Country Classics performance at the Log Cabin; 7 p.m. - Battle of the ‘80s Rock Bands at the Grandstands (tickets $10, free for  those under 3 feet tall).
        Aug. 23: 1-4 p.m. - Corey Conley & Michael Szablewski at the Log Cabin; 6-9 p.m. - Ridin' Shotgun Band at the Log Cabin; 6-10:30 p.m. - Eric Sowers Band at the Beer Garden Pavilion; 7 p.m.- Tri-State Mini Tractor Pull  at the Grandstands ($7 admission, free for those under 3 feet tall).
        Aug. 24: 10:30 a.m. - Baby Contest at the Log Cabin; 1-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. - Happy Hour Duo at the Log Cabin; 3:30 p.m. - Kiddie Tractor Pull; 6 p.m. - Twisted Metal Demo Derby at the Grandstands ($10-15 tickets); 6-10:30 p.m. - Eric Sowers Band at the Beer Garden Pavilion; 6-10:30 p.m. - Ice Cream Militia in the Beer Garden Pavilion; 7 p.m. - Showman of Showmen Contest in Anderson Arena.
        Aug. 25: 8:30 a.m.- Non-denominational church service; 11 a.m. - Draft Horse and Pony Hitch Show; 1 p.m. - Recording artist Georgette Jones with a tribute concert to her parents George Jones and Tammy Wynette with her band members at the Log Cabin; 1 p.m. - Frypan throwing contest at the Grandstands (free admission). Fair closes by 6 p.m.
        Free entertainment during the fair will include performances by Brunon Blaszak's Royal Tigers Show and Wheels of Agriculture Game Show (times to be determined). In addition, Paige’s Petting Zoo will operate from noon-10 p.m., with horse and pony rides available from noon to 9:30 p.m.
        For more info, visit sanduskycountyfair.com.
 
Glass City Jazz Fest
        The 3rd Annual Glass City Jazz Fest will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, from 1 p.m.-sunset in the Glass Pavilion at Glass City Metropark, 983 Front St., Toledo.
        The City of Toledo, in partnership with The Great Lakes Jazz Society, Metroparks Toledo, Lucas County, the  Toledo Area Transit Authority (TARTA), and a host of non-profits and private industry have united to bring world-class entertainment to Northwest Ohio at the free festival.
        The event is being sponsored by Toledo’s jazz internet radio station “The H-Factor Jazz Show.” Attendees of the family-friendly, open-air festival will enjoy a day of live acts that will explore various genres of jazz, including traditional, Latin, fusion, smooth jazz, and more.
        The day’s lineup includes:
        1 p.m.: Andrew Wright (featuring Perry Hughes).
        2:30 p.m.: 496 West.
        4 p.m.: Allen Dennard.
        5:30 p.m.: Ilya Serov.
        7 p.m.: Jeanette Harris with special guest Ragan Whiteside.
        8:30 p.m.: Bob James.
        Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free event, which will also include food and local arts and crafts vendors.
        Visit glasscityjazzfest.com for more information.
 
 “Buckets of Fun”
        The 79th Pemberville Free Fair, with the theme “Buckets of Fun,” will be held Aug. 14-17 at Memorial Park in downtown Pemberville.
        The fair’s schedule is jam-packed with entertainment, events, shows, parades and much more.
        Scheduled performers in the Entertainment Tent includes:
        • Glow Dance featuring music by DJ A&J Sound, Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 9 p.m.
        • The Riverbend Band – one of Northwest Ohio’s best country bands – Thursday, Aug. 15,  at 7 p.m.
        • E String G’s, Toledo-area cover band playing hits from most genres, Friday, Aug. 16, from 8-11 p.m.
        • EZ Pickenz performing folk, rock, country, blues and original songs, Saturday, Aug. 17, from 4:30-7 p.m.
        • Brother Believe Me performing music to satisfy nearly any musical taste, Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8:30-11 p.m. (Lead vocalist, Jon Drake, earned some street cred when he earned a “Golden Ticket” to the singing competition “The Voice.” 
        Another fair highlight will be the Marching Band Extravaganza, featuring some of Northwest Ohio’s best high school marching bands performing at noon in the downtown business district along Memorial Drive, Saturday, Aug. 17, prior to the start of this year’s Grand Parade, which steps off at 1 p.m.
        For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit pembervillefair.org.
 
Bookmobile to stop at Mel-O-Creme
        Take a sweet stop during your day by visiting the Wood County District Public Library’s Bookmobile, which will stop at Mel-O-Creme ice cream shop in Millbury from 5-6 p.m. on Mondays, Aug. 5 and 19, Sept. 16 and 30 and Oct. 14. Mel-O-Creme is located at 1512 Woodville Rd.
        WCDPL’s full-service mobile library on wheels offers a wide variety of books, movies, magazines, crafts and more for the whole family.
        The Bookmobile visits daycares, schools, home care facilities and 18 other public stops around Wood County, in addition to offering home delivery. For more information on the upcoming Bookmobile schedule, visit wcdpl.org/bookmobile.
 
Sauder Village Author Days
        Sauder Village, in partnership with the Sofia Quintero Art and Cultural Center (SQACC), will present a new approach to its annual Author Days this year
        On Aug. 9 and 10, the two organizations will collaborate to bring Latino stories to life. Attendees will experience the sights, sounds and smells of Latino cultures through art displays, cooking demonstrations, music, books and activities throughout the historic village, all highlighting and celebrating Latin America and its influence on the world.
        SQACC will be onsite both days offering ways visitors can continue exploring Northwest Ohio’s Latino heritage through their classes, tours and events.
        For rates, dates, hours, membership and ticket purchases, visit saudervillage.org, follow Sauder Village on Facebook or Instagram or call 1-800-590-9755.
       
Luck of the Lakes Raffle
        The National Museum of the Great Lakes is conducting its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Luck of the Lakes Raffle.
        “The Luck of the Lakes Raffle offers a unique opportunity for the public to experience Great Lakes maritime history in an unprecedented way,” said Kate Fineske, NMGL executive director.
        The raffle includes a grand prize featuring a Trip of a Lifetime for two aboard an Interlake freighter; a second prize featuring an Ultimate Put-in-Bay Experience and a third prize of 10 tickets for next year’s Luck of the Lakes Raffle drawing.
        Raffle ticket purchases support the Great Lakes Historical Society the NMGL, whose mission is to preserve and share the history of the Great Lakes.
        Tickets may be purchased online until noon on Friday, Sept. 27. Winners will be notified via email and phone. Early bird ticket purchasers in August will have a chance to win bonus raffle baskets filled with fun experiences, dining, and more.
        For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nmgl.org/2024lolraffle or call 419-214-5000.
 
Amphitheater event schedule announced
        Fremont Community Amphitheater, located at 209 South Arch St., Fremont, will host a number of events in August including:
        • Aug. 6: Paramount Movie Nights with the movie “Godzilla” at sunset, 9 p.m.
        • Aug. 8: “Historical Ponderings: A Look Through the Rearview Window: A Walking Tour: Historical Downtown Fremont,” with Mike Gilbert and Larry Michaels, Front Street, 6-7:30 p.m.
        • Aug. 10: Cleveland's Breakfast Club, 5-8 p.m.
        • Aug. 20: Paramount Movie Nights, “Kung Fu Panda,” at sunset, 8:30 p.m.
        • Aug. 22: “Historical Ponderings: A Look Through the Rearview Window: Famous People of Fremont, Ohio,” Oakwood Cemetery, with Mike Gilbert 6-7:30 p.m.
        • Aug. 24:- Hollywood Mafia from 5-8 p.m.
        • Aug. 31: Hero, from 5-8 p.m.
        Bring a blanket or chair to sit on for these free rain-or-shine events. Visit downtownfremontohio.org/fremont-community-amphitheater/ for more details.
 
Vendors sought for church’s fall festival
        St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton is seeking vendors for its annual Fall Festival, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Parish Hall, 207 Adams St.
        All vendor merchandise should be new or crafted. Businesses are welcome. Space rental is $25. Tables and chairs are provided.
        Proceeds raised from the event benefit Lutheran World Disaster Relief and improvement projects at St. John. For a vendor contract or for information, email monettegarn@gmail.com.
 
Parking Lot Party, Author Fair set
        Gathering Volumes will host its annual Parking Lot Party and Author Fair Sunday, Sept. 15. In the event of rain, the fair will be held Sept. 22.
        More than 25 area authors, illustrators, and artists will be on hand to celebrate what they love most – books. From children’s picture books to horror, science fiction/fantasy to regional nonfiction, and everything in between, there will be something for every reader.
        Participating authors include Laurence St. John, Anthony Knopps, Buzz Parcher, Curtis A. Deeter, E.M. Anderson, Genevieve Geha Kirkbride, Jim Mollenkopf, Kellie and Gerald Hill, Kevin Moore and Kristina Smith, Leah McNaughton Lederman, Lynn Nye, Peris De Vohn, Phil Farina, Sandra Hults, Theresa Konwinski, Rachel Clark, M. A. Csortos, R. S. Hamilton, Nathan Jacobs, John Roth, Dirk Manning, Jennifer Shafer, Hope Bolinger, Jim Bolone, Timothy Geiger, and Cyn Mackley.
        Light eats for lunch and drinks will be available, with proceeds, along with a book raffle, going toward funding the 4th annual Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival.
        Attendees will enjoy home-brewed craft beer samples from the Glass City Mashers, a lemonade truck (The Rolling Lemon), coffee (Sweet Nate’s), and food offerings from Maybe Cheese Born With It.
        Of Rust and Glass, a Midwest publisher based in Maumee, is cosponsoring the event.
        “We will also be teaming up with a local arts-based charity this year to raise money for our incredible creative community,” said  Curtis Deeter, editor, Of Rust and Glass. “Stay-tuned to find out more.”
        Visit facebook.com/events/324282347355689.
 
Shakespeare in the Grove
        Enjoy a performance of one of William Shakespeare’s beloved plays beneath the trees at Spiegel Grove, an arboretum and estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes in Fremont, for three showings Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10.
        The Birchard Park Players, a group of local and regional actors, will perform an adaptation of “Twelfth Night” on the verandah of the historic Hayes Home at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.
        This adaptation of the play will be set in the 1920s.
        Admission is free. No tickets are required. Bring a chair or blanket for seating on the lawn. Popcorn and water will be available. In the event of inclement weather, the performance would be moved into the museum auditorium.
        The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is located at Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues.
        For information, call 419-332-2081, visit rbhayes.org, like Hayes Presidential on Facebook at @rbhayespres and follow on Twitter and Instagram at @rbhayespres.