BALMY breezes, cool cocktails, fabulous food, and decadent desserts were all part of the fun at the 2024 Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Clambake presented by PNC on July 25 at the Toledo Zoo in the Malawi Event Center.
Complimentary parking and golf cart transportation was available for this ticket-less event.
Registration opened at 4:30 p.m. so guests could get a head start on the cocktail hour at the Africa! Overlook where many fed the giraffes, including Annemarie Blank, while others sipped spirits and nibbled appetizers as live music filled the air. Many enjoyed the free sunglasses by Hawaiian Pools which were at the entrance to the fun.
Then the buffet opened in the event center where the giant aquarium was the featured decoration as guests feasted while roaming and visiting.
Mmm. Seafood pasta, meat and vegetarian kabobs, mushroom risotto, glazed carrots, salad, rolls, and of course, clams were all served. Dessert charcuteries by Bite Events and Catering were the centerpieces of the tables decorated with coral pieces.
It was a crowd of corporate and business leaders, mid-level managers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, emerging talent, educators, political figures, and more.
Christina Timmons , owner of 71Focus.com, was the first one in the dining room.
Rossford mayor Neil MacKinnon and his wife Camille were early diners, too.
Allison Latcheran and Rob Anders , executives from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, were also present for the festivities.
Keith Burwell , president and CEO of Greater Toledo Community Foundation, was all smiles as he schmoozed, since his retirement is a month away. He said he is pondering on what to do next, but he joked it won't be staying home all day as his wife Susan made that clear.
PNC's Bill McDonnell and his wife Heather roamed about visiting with everyone.
Many guests wore tropical prints to the casual attired event which added fun decor.
Jeff Schaaf , Alison Frye , and Art Caldwell all sported blue tropical prints.
Included in the table sponsorships was a new category for an EPIC Toledo table sponsorship to give 10 EPIC Toledo members access to the event.
In addition to PNC, there were oodles of sponsors including Fiber Frame, Bite Catering, ELK3D, Hollywood Casino Toledo, ASM Global/Huntington Center/Glass City Center, Salinas Exteriors, Medical Mutual, the Ohio Council of Community Schools, Palmer Energy Company, RCO Law, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the University of Toledo, LyondellBasell Perrysburg, Nationwide Children’s Hospital — Toledo, The Andersons, Inc., The Lathrop Co., Mercy Health, Mosser Construction, Inc., V+A Risk Services, Hawaiian Pools, Black & White Transportation, Critical Business Analysis Inc., and many more.
THERE are plenty more fun outdoor events this summer. One in particular is a chance to tickle your toes in the sand. The 23rd annual Barefoot at the Beach to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Toledo is Aug. 10, 7 p.m.-11:30 p.m. at Maumee Bay State Park. Intrigue will be playing tunes as guests feast from more than 30 restaurants who provide samples. There will be camp fires, too.
Tickets start at $150 each but also volunteer opportunities are available for multiple shifts between Aug. 9-11. The biggest need is for tear-down from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 11.
Volunteers must be 21 or older.
Go online or call the Clubs at 419-241-4258 to learn more. More information can also be found at https://barefootatthebeach.org/.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.
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