ON THE TOWN: Beaches, water, and fun in the sun

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo Barefoot at the Beach presented by Medical Mutual was Aug. 16 at Maumee Bay State Park along the beach overlooking Lake Erie.

Glass City Steel and the Madison Avenue Band set the island scene along with thatched roof cabana bars, surf boards, lounge chairs, beach balls, and bright neon decorations. Cruise wear added to the beach party setting: flip-flops, chino shorts, print maxi dresses, sun hats, Hawaiian shirts, and polos.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for more photos from these events

Emcee Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, Channel 11 greeted everyone.

Left to right Tom Wiegand, Jodi Bostelman, Shannon Zacharias, and Bryan Zacharias during the Barefoot at the Beach party for the Boys and Girls Clubs.

Food from more than 26 area restaurants presented a feast for the more than 1,600 beachcombers who arrived by auto or cruised in by boat. Mmm: octopus tacos, salmon rolls, ribs, pulled pork, duck, wild boar meatballs, fruits, veggies, and sweets. Turner Electrical Services provided hookups for the food areas, sound systems, and lighting, which turned a remote island feel into glamour fit for a show.

Libations and specialty drinks from Heidelberg Distributing Co. flowed as folks dined at tables centered with tropical arrangements by Glendale Flowers. Giant American Rent-All tents provided shelter for sponsor areas.

Many folks sat around the fire pits while others enjoyed the wine and cigar bars.

A plane flew overhead with a message: Great Futures Start at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo. Grand Lubell Photography provided memories from the night.

Later, Pyrotecnico fireworks lit the sky for the grand finale.

On hand was Black & White Transportation, just in case any party-goers needed a safe ride home.

Kudos to the volunteers: It takes four days to set up and about seven hours to tear down. Event chairmen Rick Sabin (wife Mary) and Connie Feldstein (husband Jay) were assisted by dozens of helpers.

The estimated net is expected to top $200,000. Thanks to the more than 100 sponsors.

Seen were Jeff and Sarah Bucher, Chris and Ann Kozak, Tiffany and Steve Cavanaugh, Dan and Cathy Frick, Terry and Susan Gerken, Scott and Judy Potter, Fred and Lyntia Ruffin, Doug and Marianne Schoenrock, Rob and Jeri Shick, Richard Jackson, and Marc and Terri Stockwell.

The 23rd annual Pollyball tournament sponsored by the Hylant Family Foundation was Aug. 23 at International Park. The event is in memory of their late sister, Polly Hylant Tracy, who lost her battle to breast cancer.

Committee members Lynn Kordash, left, Joey Apgar, Lisa McDuffie, and Jeannie Hylant at the 23rd Annual Pollyball Tournament, in celebration of the life of Polly Hylant-Tracy.

Nearly $60,000 was netted in support of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio’s ENCOREplus Breast Cancer Awareness & Assistance Program.

The 49 teams had a fun day, especially the winners: The champs were the Dr. Zoll & Dr. Knierim team. Runner-up was the Hires Dental Group and in third place, the Zepf Center.

Also part of the fun were the children’s play area and fuel for everyone. Family friend Tom McHugh of Heidelberg Distributing supplied beverages. Another family friend, Phil Barone of Rosie’s Italian Grille, supplied the tasty food.

The family of the late Polly Hylant Tracy was there: Husband Geof Tracy and daughters Rachel, Lauren, and Sarah. Most everyone in the Hylant family was there except kids with jobs and at college: Pat and Ann Hylant, Dan and Carol Hylant, Steve and Karen Hylant, Sandra Hylant, Jeannie Hylant, Michael and Tina Hylant, and Richard and Clare Hylant.

It took a team to run the show. Lynn Kordash was chairman with Joey Apgar. Also on the committee were many of the Hylant clan plus folks from the YWCA.

Will Patton, center in purple suspenders, and his team celebrate a point during the Kidney Foundation mud volleyball tournament.

Fun in the mud. The Bump, Set, Splat Mud Volleyball Tournament hosted by Toledo Sport and Social Club was Aug. 23 at the Lucas County Fairgrounds. Participants got down and dirty for the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio.

DJ Rob Hall of Mars Entertainment Group played emcee and spun tunes that added excitement to the muddy matches for the 53 teams. More than 650 spectators and players watched the action.

The lower bracket winning team was the Mud Hornets with team captain Elliot Alvarado. The upper bracket winning team was Serenity Health and Wellness with team captain John Hickey. The best costume award went to Brian Hall. More than $6,000 is the estimated net. Thanks go to Lucas County Fairgrounds, which donated the space and staff for event and the dozen volunteers who assisted.

The Ad Bash Volleyball Tournament presented by the American Advertising Federation Toledo was Aug. 7 at the Beach at International Park.

First place team was The Blade, followed by Mail Works, University of Toledo, and Adams Street Publishing.

Coming in last, but having fun was the NBC 24 team. The Homewood Press team won an award for the best-dressed team, and Great Lakes Marketing, celebrating its 50th anniversary, won the self-appointed “most fun getting ready” award.

The National Museum of the Great Lakes & Ramsey Brothers’ Restorations presented the Toledo Antique and Classic Boat Show on Aug. 23 and 24 at the Great Lakes Museum on Front Street along the Maumee River. Many toured the deck of the U.S. Brig Niagara and the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship as well as the museum, all free to museum members. Seventy recreational boats such as Lyman and Chris Craft also were on display. Adding to the fun were children’s activities, food vendors, and live music.