419 Day right around the corner
Northwest Ohio event offers specials, entertainment
4/17/2014
Andrew Anacki of Akron, left, hauls in a carp as his uncle, Bob Parry of Maumee, looks on while the two fish for walleye near a section of rapids in the Maumee River at Side Cut Metropark in Maumee. Walleye fishing on the Maumee River will be one of the many events that are celebrated on 419 Day.
THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON
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Andrew Anacki of Akron, left, hauls in a carp as his uncle, Bob Parry of Maumee, looks on while the two fish for walleye near a section of rapids in the Maumee River at Side Cut Metropark in Maumee. Walleye fishing on the Maumee River will be one of the many events that are celebrated on 419 Day.
Celebrate good times, c’mon.
Don’t even think about dialing it back; rather, dial up the date for our very own annual holiday, 419 Day.
Tucked in with a Gallery Loop, $4.19 restaurant specials, entertainment, and other area-code day activities on Saturday — 4/19 — count on a whole bunch of hashtag hoopla. T-Town, and beyond, will be a Twitter.
All things fine on the 419 line? Too numerous to list, but some people, places, and things shout out “Group Hug.” Or Instagram meetup.
RELATED ARTICLE: Gallery Loop, 419 Day set for Saturday fun
Whoot, whoot for the Toledo Rockets and our beloved Mud Hens, for our awesome Metroparks of the Toledo Area and our tremendous Toledo Zoo and the world-renowned Toledo Museum of Art. For summer-day croquet and casseroles in the Old West End. For walleye fishing on the Maumee. For neighborhood melting-pot blends. Friendship, fellowship, citizenship, partnership, and worship.
Dress it all up, dish it out. We have the T-shirts — Somebody Loves Me In Toledo — and our mottos. We love those too. Live here, buy here. You will do better in Toledo.
Dustin Hostetler, who is involved in 419 Day, said people are excited about Saturday’s lineup of activities and about the potential for the local holiday to soar in popularity.
On Wednesday, he continued to add to online lists, using Facebook, Twitter, and a Web site to pass the word. He said he’s amazed by how many individuals plan to take part, perhaps because 4/19 is a Saturday this year.
No matter the day of the week, though, “I hope it always will be celebrated and embraced by the region,” said Mr. Hostetler, who lives in the Old West End.
When asked Wednesday about plans for the 419 prefix confab, several Toledo-area residents replied with a question mark. They had not yet heard about the holiday, founded on April 19, 2012, to celebrate northwest Ohio. Most events, however, tout Toledo. Some local residents remarked 419 Day sounded like a good idea to promote the area.
Julie Caldwell, who works downtown, said, with others nodding in agreement: “It gives you something to talk about other than the weather.” Responses included “I'll drink to that.” (Caffeine at that point, as workers were on their coffee break).
Raising a glass to toast Toledo most certainly is on the to-do list. 419 Day brews interest in pubs and suds. Expect crowds.
The day dedicated to the area code 419 isn’t limited to Toledo. Check the phone book. The 567 area code also serves part of the region, and those within the 567 should feel free to party along with the 419ers.
Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township is a 567, not a 419. Saturday falls about the same time as the college’s Spring Fling, meaning students likely will focus on those activities, rather than on 419 Day, based on information from Jared C. Meade, Owens’ spokesman.
A friendly invite, though, goes out to Perrysburg-area residents to participate in the holiday events.
Mr. Hostetler hopes on Sunday to see scads of 419 Day photographs and comments on social media.
Contact Janet Romaker at:jromaker@theblade.com or 419-724-6006.