In this section, you'll find the most important news from Ohio's tourism attractions and visitors bureaus.
Lake County PerchFest is a Breeze
8/18/2009
CONTACT:
Bob Ulas
ulas@lakevisit.com
(800) 368-LAKE
(440) 567-5930
LAKE COUNTY, Ohio (Aug. 18, 2009) - This September, visitors are welcome to enjoy a perch dinner right on the shores of Lake Erie at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park during the Lake County PerchFest™, Ohio’s largest Lake Erie yellow perch fish fry, Sept. 11-13, 2009. About 8,000 meals are served in the three-day event, once featured on The Travel Channel.
Again this year, PerchFest offers free admission so more visitors can discover how affordable the east side of Lake Erie in Lake County can be. The Lake County Visitors Bureau hopes PerchFest™ will attract a regional audience.
Fish fry vendor Chris Bennett uses only Lake Erie yellow perch, coated with a light, seasoned breading, and fried in canola oil. Perch and walleye dinners are $12.00 and a Pile ‘O Perch (nine single fillets equaling about a quarter-pound of breaded perch) has been added for $14.00. Other menu items include an expanded variety of food vendors such as Corbo’s from Little Italy and additional food vendors serving ribs and other items.
“Perch is a favorite delicacy, with a vast culinary and emotional appeal,” said Bob Ulas, director of the Lake County Visitors Bureau. “The PerchFest™ has grown into an autumn tradition, drawing repeat visitors who hopefully will return often to enjoy Lake County’s coastal recreational attraction."
Live entertainment with new bands and expanded youth activities are planned. For a small fee, children and parents can enjoy a youth fishing tank stocked with perch, bass, trout and bluegill. The Fairport Marine Museum and Lighthouse will be open for tours Saturday and Sunday, noon – 7:00 p.m. ($3.00 adult, $2.00 youth admission), and the 28-foot Lake Erie research vessel, North River, also will be on display for tours courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resource Fairport Harbor Fisheries Station. Other activities include karaoke, corn hole and a perch fishing tournament.
Weather permitting, about 300 annual perch fishing permits will be available for “Ohio’s Best Perch Fishing Champion” contest Saturday and Sunday. Perch measuring is at the Village of Fairport Harbor Recycling Center on Water Street.
In the adult category, the first place fishing contest prize for the five best perch caught by measurement is $500 (sponsored by Ohio Senator Tim Grendell and Ohio Appellate Judge Diane Grendell). Second place receives $300 and third place receives $200. A youth division will feature a first-place $100 Gander Mountain gift certificate for the three largest perch caught by measurement. Second place receives a $75 Gander Mountain gift certificate and third place receives a $50 Gander Mountain gift certificate. Additionally, D & W Bait and Tackle will offer a Big Fish Prize a $50 gift certificate, and a $25 youth gift certificate. Marc’s stores gift certificates will be awarded to all winners.
For further information on the 2009 PerchFest, please visit
www.PerchFest.net.
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