ON THE TOWN

Barefoot at the Beach

Sasha Clayborne, left, and Anitra Burton with Organized K-OS perform during the 17th annual Barefoot at the Beach.

The Blade/Kurt Steiss
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From left: Doug Adams-Arman, Hana Mourad and Charine Mourad during the 17th annual Barefoot at the Beach.

ONE didn't have to go to the Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, or other beautiful places. It was all on the beach of Maumee Bay State Park for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo’s 17th annual Barefoot at the Beach presented by Fifth Third Bank.

The more than 2,000 guests at $125 per person kicked off their shoes and enjoyed savories from local and national restaurants,  as well as the sunset, bonfires, fireworks, and lively entertainment by DJ ONE TYME, Organized K-OS, and Distant Cousinz, which enticed many to kick up the sand late into the night. The entertainment sponsor for the evening was Citizen Advisory Group.

No one could go away hungry with more than 35 food vendors including appetizer vendors, entrees, and late night snacks. Fifth Third Bank had their own private party area with exclusive food and beverage service by The Premier, plus an octopus-shaped cake by PM Frosted Fantasies.

Cocktail and food-service tables draped with crisp white, sea foam, and teal-green linens, helped set the mermaid theme along with hundreds of fresh flowers by Shramm’s Flowers and grasses and greenery by Lowes.

Lexus of Toledo provided a photo booth for guests to pose in for memories.

An event app provided mentions of sponsors, a party map, menu, and other details about the evening.

A biplane carried a banner that heralded the special anniversary, saying “A Place to Become: BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TOLEDO!”

Keeping the beach ball rolling were emcees Tim Miller and Melissa Andrews of WTOL-TV, Channel 11, and former station peer Chrys Peterson, there with husband Tom. Honorary chairman Bob LaClair, head of Fifth Third Bank, was there with his wife, Kim. He is a proud alumnus of the South Toledo Boys Club.

The expected amount raised is more than $220,000. Kudos to event co-chairmen Nancy Joy, there with husband Jeff, and Nick Thomas, there with wife Katie, all the volunteers, vendors, and sponsors.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, founded in 1892 and one of the oldest youth-serving organizations in the central city Toledo area, annually provides opportunities for more than 6,000 boys and girls, age 7-18, via four locations in the central city.

Notable guests, many in flip flops, chinos, polos, and summer skirts in nautical patterns, and even a couple in shark costumes, included Gina and Rob Krieger, Sheriff John Tharp and wife Phyllis, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and wife Sarah, board president Kevin O’Neal and wife Brigid, board vice president Sara Moynihan, Fred and Lydia Ruffin, Rob Shick, Tiffany and Steve Cavanaugh, who was the decorations chairman, and Michael and Robin Flaum. Robin co-chaired with Josh Rupli the new sponsors campaign, which was record breaking at  more than $40,000.

Matt Hoverman, food committee chairman, will be next year’s event co-chairman: He was there with his wife, Karla. Blair and Jim Nooney provided high-end Maya Selva cigars for guests to enjoy and brought an envoy of guests from France.

Richard Jackson, ticket sales chairman, was there with wife Yolanda Jackson. Rick Mann, site chairman, was there with wife Barb Mann. Also, Adam and Emily Reny, Rick Salem, Don and Barb Rettig, Ben and Peggy Brown, Dan and Cathy Frick, Don Harbaugh and Jan Fry, and Sarah and Jeff Bucher.

The 18th annual Barefoot at the Beach will be on Aug. 17th, 2019.

Among the more than 100 local business sponsors were Key Bank, Walter Terhune Memorial Funds, Citizen Advisory Group, Lexus of Toledo, Hollywood Casino, Meijer, Ohio Council of Community Schools, Owens Corning, and Toledo Molding & Die.

Vendors included Balance Grille, Benchmark, Brim House, Caper's, City Q Barbeque, Cocina De Carlos, Carlos Poco Loco, Carlos’ Que Pasa, Fowl & Fodder, Fricker's, FUSIAN, Holey Toledough, Hollywood Casino, ICE Restaurant, Inverness Club, Jing Chuan, La-Z-Boy, LePetit, and M Osteria.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's Society Editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.