By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT — A vacant Conneaut lot became a temporary amusement park for hundreds of people Saturday.
For a few hours, under a brilliant sun, Caleb's Carnival delighted kids with its games, food, music and activities. Proceeds help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Also on Saturday in Conneaut, a ceremony was held to formally dedicate the Route 20 viaduct as the Ohio Veterans Memorial Bridge. The span over Conneaut Creek was officially named by state lawmakers late last year.
Caleb's Carnival event is named for Caleb Coltman, 8, of Conneaut, who was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia almost two years ago. He has been in remission for more than a year.
The second-annual carnival features a variety of family games, a dunk tank and inflatable bounce house for the little ones, all staffed by volunteers. Two members of the Cleveland Cavaliers dance team also attended to sign autographs, pose for photos and lead a tug-of-war challenge.
"We've had a great turnout," said Russ Coltman, Caleb's father. "I think we've had more people than last year.
Caleb's treatment involves the use of a drug, Gleevec, developed with funding provided by the LLS, Coltman said. "Our family has benefited from what the LLS does, and we want to be part of the search for other therapies like Gleevec," he said.
The bridge dedication ceremony early Saturday afternoon capped a local effort launched more than two years ago. Two members of American Legion Cowle Post 151, Paul Nelson and Tom Shugerts, lobbied state lawmakers to name the bridge in honor of Ohio's veterans.
The bill became law in late December. Signs proclaiming the bridge's new name sit at either end of the span.
A new bridge replaced the original span a few years ago. The bridge connects East Conneaut with the city's downtown district.
