PERRYSBURG — Perrysburg and Maumee are joining forces this weekend for what they hope will become a new
tradition, culminating in a tug of war between each city’s leaders.
Mayor Mike Olmstead said the Perrysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau has been very active in promoting
the Perrysburg Maumee Walleye Fest as a way to bring people into the community.
"This is an effort to bring other people into the city as much as it is for those residents of the
city, too," he said.
A fishing tournament between residents of the two cities began Monday and there have been several
river-related presentations this week, but the festival truly gets into gear starting at 6 p.m. tonight
with a "Walleye Splash" at Hood Park.
Also tonight, there’s a presentation of "Finding Dory" at Way Public Library at 4 p.m., a fish
fry at St. Rose Catholic Church from 5-7, food trucks stationed in Maumee from 5-9, and family
activities on West Second Street in Perrysburg from 6-8.
Saturday opens with a pancake breakfast to benefit Scout troops, to take place at First United Methodist
Church, 200 West Second St., from 8-11 a.m. The 5K Walleye Run starts at 9 a.m. and will traverse the
bridge before returning to Fort Meigs. Admission at the fort is free with a Walleye Fest coupon from
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Family activities and food trucks are slated again on Second Street from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., including
carnival games and appearances from children’s characters. A parade will step off at 11 a.m. from Fifth
Street, heading north on Louisiana Avenue to Front Street. There will be information booths at Hood Park
from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., including Bass Pro Shops, Perrysburg Fire Division and St. Luke’s Hospital. The
fire department will put on water-rescue demonstrations at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Additional walleye- and river-themed attractions continue through Saturday and into Sunday. The Ohio
Department of Natural Resources and Toledo Sail and Power Squadron will offer boating courses at
Perrysburg Township’s safety facility on Lime City Road, and Way Public Library has a Walleye decorating
contest, guessing games and other activities. For additional information or to register for the boating
course, call Nelson Evans at 419-874-8911.
"Wine and Walleye" will be Saturday from 6-9 p.m. on West Second Street, featuring unlimited
tastings of regional wines, appetizers and food pairings from Extra Virgin Catering, along with regional
beers available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by local band Suburban Legend. Tickets are
$45 per person and are available at https://downtownpburg.ticketleap.com/wine-and-walleye. Only 300
tickets will be sold.
On Sunday, the first 200 children at the Little Walleye Family Walk will receive a T-shirt and gift bag.
Children should be accompanied by an adult for the 1 p.m. walk, which with Spike, mascot of the Toledo
Walleye.
The tug of war at 2 p.m. at Orleans Park will include Perrysburg Mayor Mike Olmstead, Maumee Mayor Rich
Carr and officials from both cities. Sunday’s events also include a documentary and lecture,
"Romancing the River: A Maumee Love Story" with Lou Hebert, at 2 p.m. at Way Public Library,
and a closing award ceremony for the fishing tournament at 3 p.m. at Orleans Park.