Go to the Sandusky County Fair on Thursday, August 26, and you are likely to run into Mark, Tom or Bud.  But they are not your distant relative or long, lost friend - those are perhaps the names of just a few of the eight Clydesdale draft horses that will be pulling the Budweiser beer wagon from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. 

    Through the efforts of fair board directors, and sponsored by Maple City Ice - the area's Anheuser-Busch  distributor - three customized fifty-foot semis will arrive at the fairgrounds Thursday morning.  On board will be the Budweiser Clydesdales, their red, white and gold hitch wagon, handlers, grooms - and yes - even a Dalmatian dog.  Upon their arrival, the horses, gear and wagon will be unloaded.  Each of the eight horses will have their 130 pound harness placed on them, and be hitched - one at a time - to the show wagon.  According to John Hipp of Maple City Ice, just watching the handlers and grooms prepare and harness the horses is a show in itself.  After being harnessed and hitched, the team will be driven through the fairgrounds and will be available for fairgoers to see first-hand.

     Maple City Ice has sponsored the Budweiser Clydesdales in their sales territory in past years, but Hipp was quick to point out, the hitch team has never visited the Fremont area before.  Hipp added, Thursday's visit to Fremont will be the only one in Northwest Ohio, other than making an appearance Saturday at Put-In-Bay.

    According to information supplied by Maple City Ice and Anheuser-Busch, the hitch team is based out of St. Louis, Missouri.  The Clydesdale Operations Center fields thousands of requests for appearances each year, and has to evaluate each request based on the type of event, location and coordinating dates. Although only eight horses are hitched at a time, ten Clydesdales travel in two air-ride, rubber floored, fan cooled, highly customized trailers.  Each trailer is equipped with cameras so the semi drivers can monitor the horses at all times.  The semis stop each night at an area stable to allow the horses to rest.  In most cases a groom will stay with the horses to ensure their comfort, safety and security.

    Fair director Martin Jay says this is an exciting event for the county fair, and hopes it will be a big hit.  While public rides on the wagon will not be offered, this will be a perfect opportunity and a rare happening to see the proud and prestigious Budweiser Clydesdales.  Jay also added that Thursday is Senior Citizens' and Veterans' Day.  For further information, contact The Sandusky County Agricultural Society at 419-332-5604.

Janet Nieset and Sharon Esker, from Gift Baskets and Bouquets, recently attended the National Gift Basket Convention.  They competed in a 12-hour Basketology Seminar on the construction, new trends, and new techniques for Design.  They also participated in a Basket Challenge in which they were given a 10" square 3" deep basket and 25 food items to use in the design, they were given five minutes to complete their design.  Sharon was one of the top 10 our of 212 participants.  Let us design a unique basket for you.  Our gift baskets are personally designed in our shop many times while you wait.  We have many themes to choose from ... OSU, Sports, Southwest, Summer, Holidays, Wine, Bath and Body, Baby, Bridal, Anniversary, Thank You, Get Well, Sympathy, Birthday, Ohio Basket, Coffee or Tea, and chocolate therapy.  Gift Baskets and Bouquets will be celebrating their 15th year of business in Downtown Fremont.  As a Thank You to our customers, we are offering a 15% discount on your total purchase August 30 through September 3rd.  Stop in and see us during Farmers Markets as well and try some of our gourmet dips and salsas.  For further information, contact:  419-334-4438.

The Ralph's Joy of Living Farmer's Market season is in full swing in Downtown Fremont.  The markets have been experiencing great success and attendance again in 2010.  Once again this year, there are special events that are held in conjunction with the regular scheduled markets on the third Saturday of June through October.  A new event is being introduced at the August 21 market called The Dog Days of Summer.  This event is being sponsored by Green Bay Packaging and will feature a pet fashion show, contests, groomers, pet suppliers, and trainers.  To register your pet for the contests, please visit www.DowntownFremontOhio.org or call 419-332-8696.  The contests are free and prizes will be awarded.  We know that dog owners will love this event where their furry friends are invited to join them during the market on August 21, 2010 from 9 am - 1 pm in Downtown Fremont!  

Downtown Fremont will host the second Ralph’s Joy of Living Farmer’s Market of the season on Saturday, July 17, 2010.  The Farmer’s Market will take place rain or shine on Front Street from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. There will be a large variety of items for sale including in season fruits and vegetables to baked goods, grass seed and fertilizer to pet supplies, and fresh cut flowers to handmade candles and so much more. There will also be great food including tacos, bratwurst, Shredded Chicken and BBQ Pork, so come for lunch.    You will also be able to enjoy product demonstrations and wine tastings during the markets at Ralph’s Joy of Living located at 113 S. Front Street.  Don’t forget, the markets are also the perfect time to shop at all of your favorite downtown stores and discover new product lines and services that are all available locally. 

In addition to the market, there will also be an Art and Music Fest as well.  There will be many local artists and musicians displaying their artwork and performing their music for the public to enjoy.  This is a juried show and you will simply be amazed at the talent that will be showcased in Downtown Fremont.   Back this year, is a kids tent that will feature FREE creative activities for kids.  The activities will be facilitated by the Bethesda Arts Council.

Mark your calendars now and plan on visiting Downtown Fremont on July 17^th  where there will be art, music, food, and of course, great shopping available for all to enjoy.  Visitors are encouraged to use the city parking lots during the market hours as parking will be restricted on Front Street.  The city parking lots should be accessed from Arch Street and Bidwell Avenue.

For more information, contact Angie Morelock at 419-332-8696.

Downtown Fremont is the place to be Saturday, June 19^th for the kick off to the 2010 Ralph’s Joy of Living Farmer’s Markets.  The Farmer’s Market will take place rain or shine on Front Street beginning at 9:00 a.m. and run through 1:00 p.m.  Forty vendors are signed up to participate and will be offering a large variety of items  including in season fruits and vegetables,  baked goods, herbs, jams, perennials, fresh cut flowers,  grass seed and fertilizer, pet food items, free range chickens & eggs, and much more.   You will also be able to enjoy product demonstrations and wine tastings during the markets at Ralph’s Joy of Living located at 113 S. Front Street.  Don’t forget, the markets are also the perfect time to shop at all of your favorite downtown stores and discover new product lines and services that are all available locally. 

In addition to the market, there will be a car show sponsored by Fremont Federal Credit Union.  All car enthusiasts are invited to bring their pride and joy downtown to participate in this event. Dash plaques and prizes will be awarded.  To pre-register, download a form a www.ralphsjol.com/fremontmarket, or call 419-332-8696.  You can also register the day of the event at the Fremont Federal Credit Union main office parking lot located at 315 Croghan Street. 

Mark your calendars now and plan on visiting Downtown Fremont on June 19^th where there will be cars, food, and of course, great shopping available for all to enjoy.  Visitors are encouraged to use the city parking lots during the market hours as parking will be restricted on Front Street.  The city parking lots should be accessed from Arch Street and Bidwell Avenue.

The first in a series of three summer family programs for all ages will be held on Thursday, June 17 from 2-3pm at the Clyde Museum.  The theme is “Soldiers, Sailors, & Sweeties”.  Learn about local military heroes including Civil War General James B. McPherson and Captain Charles McCleary,  Spanish American War Sailor George Burton Meek, and World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Rodger Young. From the Aid Societies organized in the 1860’s and countless sweethearts on the homefront, we salute our veterans and thank all those whose love and support to soldiers continues today.  In recognition of Flag Day, June 14^th, VFW representatives will demonstrate proper flag folding and etiquette.  Flag booklets are being provided courtesy of Bob Latta’s office.  The museum has numerous military collections and will be open from 1-4pm. Featured exhibit is the George Burton Meek sailor uniform, a recent gift to the museum from Mary Ellen Sanford and Meek memorabelia from Denton Meek. Also displayed for a limited time is the Neil James Curtis collection of lead soldiers gifted to the museum in 1987 by his son, James M. Curtis, a Clyde policeman.  The H.G. Wells books, Floor Games and Little Wars, c 1912 & 1913 introduced the hobby of wargaming.  Representatives from the Great Lakes Chapter of the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society are assisting in identifying the museum’s large toy soldier collection and are providing materials on their organization, recent convention, and upcoming events to be held at Fort Meigs.  Children can help create a paper boat navy to sail in a channel or a plane to fly and play some troop training games.  Preschoolers will enjoy The Steadfast Tin Soldier storybook.  The museum is located at 124 West Buckeye Street (across from the post office).  Programs are free and hosted by the Clyde Heritage League.  To help plan for seating, crafts, and rations, registration is appreciated by calling the Museum 419-547-7946 or Curator Brenda Stultz 419-639-3017 and leaving name, contact number, and ages attending or email same to clydeheritageleague@yahoo.com.