There’s nothing like ringing in the New Year surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. If you’ve ever wanted to attend the Times Square Ball Drop but don’t want to travel out of state to do so, you should know about a small town festival right here in Ohio that goes all out for New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve Walleye Drop in Port Clinton is a one-of-a-kind celebration that’s a truly fun way to welcome the new year.
As a safe harbor for Lake Erie boaters and the “Walleye Capital of the World,” Port Clinton eats, sleeps and breathes fishing.
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook During the summer months, it’s bustling with tourists passing through on their way to the Lake Erie Islands. During the colder months, it’s a quiet fishing town.
The small town pride truly comes alive on New Year’s Eve when everyone gathers to attend the New Year’s Eve Walleye Drop downtown.
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook From 5 p.m. until midnight, 2 Madison Street is packed full of family, friends and delicious food. You’ll find plenty of walleye, perch, shrimp and so much more from local vendors.
Much like the Times Square Ball Drop, everyone gathers to count down the New Year while Wylie the Walleye is slowly lowered into the crowd below.
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook What was once a paper mache fish in 1997 is now a 20-foot, 600-pound walleye named Wylie Jr., featuring LED lights.
For more than 20 years, this quirky Lake Erie town has been ringing in the new year with style. It’s not a New York City celebration, but the energy of a small town Ohio celebration is irreplaceable.
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook To stay up to date on this year’s celebration, follow the Wylie Walleye Foundation on Facebook.
Following the walleye drop, the crowd marvels at a fireworks display over the water. It’s the picture perfect way to end a year and ring in a new one.
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook
Have you ever attended the New Year’s Eve Walleye Drop in Port Clinton? If so, we want to know what your experience was like. Share your memories and photos with us!
Wylie Walleye Foundation/Facebook
During the summer months, it’s bustling with tourists passing through on their way to the Lake Erie Islands. During the colder months, it’s a quiet fishing town.
From 5 p.m. until midnight, 2 Madison Street is packed full of family, friends and delicious food. You’ll find plenty of walleye, perch, shrimp and so much more from local vendors.
What was once a paper mache fish in 1997 is now a 20-foot, 600-pound walleye named Wylie Jr., featuring LED lights.
To stay up to date on this year’s celebration, follow the Wylie Walleye Foundation on Facebook.
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Address: 2 Madison St, Port Clinton, OH 43452, USA
