Walleye Drop group hosts fundraiser
PORT CLINTON — Autumn may have just recently returned, but the Wylie Walleye Foundation is already looking ahead to 2023. The foundation organizes the annual Walleye Drop, held to mark the start of the new year, and the group hosted a Walleye Drop Fundraiser Kickoff on Sept. 27 to spur donations for the popular event that draws thousands to Port Clinton on New Year’s Eve.
The fundraiser was held at The Bait House River Bar and featured live music by James Hensley, free pizza, and a 50/50 raffle.
“Don Clemons donated the use of The Bait House, James Hensley donated the music, and Saucey Slices donated the pizza,” said Wylie Walleye Foundation President Julie Natoli. “So, everything we’re doing here tonight is by donation.”
Foundation board member Lisa Kuzma said the event raised $1,735.
“The Bait House bartenders donated their tips, and the winner of the 50/50 donated his winning back to the foundation. Not a bad little fundraiser,” Lisa said.
Lisa and her husband, Joe Kuzma, became very involved with the foundation after opening Port Clinton Candy Company in downtown Port Clinton.
Kuzma moving Wylie around town to keep up interest
“Lisa and Joe are huge helps with everything,” Natoli said. “Joe takes Wylie around to various establishments so Wylie can be on display for two or three days. Joe is the guy that trailers him everywhere.”
Raising funds for the Walleye Drop is vital to maintaining the New Year's Eve countdown with Wylie, which draws national attention each winter.
“It’s popular because it’s fairly unusual. We drop a fish,” said foundation board member Jaime Polter. “It’s known all over the country and covered by national news.”
The Walleye Drop may bring Port Clinton into the national spotlight, but its biggest impact is felt on local retailers who benefit from the thousands of people who attend the event.
Business and restaurants are all filled
“The streets are filled, and all the businesses and restaurants are packed. We can have a whiteout, and people still come,” Natoli said. “The event comes at a time when businesses need the business because everyone is gone. It gives them a boost in revenue.”
The event’s impact on the local economy continues on after the Walleye Festival is over.
“People come back because they realize the bars and restaurants are still open and have live entertainment,” Natoli said. “It’s not a dead town in winter.”
But the Walleye Festival isn’t just focused on downtown Port Clinton. Baron Bus, a luxury bus line from Cleveland, will transport people to bars throughout Port Clinton, Marblehead and Catawba during the festival. The buses offer Wi-Fi and have bathrooms.
“The committee has been devoted to making sure this is not a downtown event. It’s an Ottawa County event,” Polter said. “The goal of the event is to support businesses in our county. The buses really help drive that point home.”
The Walleye Festival will include a Minnow Drop countdown earlier in the day for kids, Port Clinton Fish Company will host games, and the event will end with fireworks.
“It can be a family friendly activity, and it’s a great night out for couples,” Polter said.
The Wylie Walleye Foundation will need more funds to make the event a success, so the foundation’s sponsorship committee will soon be reaching out to businesses who donated last year to ask them to help again.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Walleye Drop group hosts fundraiser
