Wine, walleye gear available for purchase

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 03, 2009 10:44 pm

— ASHTABULA — With the Wine and Walleye Festival four months away, its goodwill ambassador, Ellie Herzog, is out and about, promoting the festival’s merchandise.
“The colors are fun and exciting, which is just what the festival is all about,” Herzog said.
Local artist Ralph Bacon created the logo last year. Bacon used vibrant colors and designed the light-hearted caricature walleye enjoying a glass of wine.
“Creating a captive audience — that’s what festivals are best at doing,” said Mark Winchell, director of the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Chamber President Jim Timonere joked with Herzog, calling her, “the fish commish.”
Shirts and hats now are available at the chamber for $18 and $22.
The festival is slated for Aug. 22-23 at Walnut Beach, and will bring in tourists for a walleye tournament and Ohio wine tastings.

Photos

BILL WEST / Star Beacon BALL CAPS and shirts with the official Wine and Walleye Festival logo are now available for consumers. Left to right are Mark Winchell, executive director Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jim Timonere, Ashtabula Area Chamber of Commerce president, and Ellie Herzog, "Fish Commish."