ASHTABULA — Natural beach glass is quickly disappearing, but lots of people who seek it poured into lower Bridge Street Saturday.
The Lift Bridge Community Association’s first-ever Ashtabula Harbor Beach Glass Festival drew more than 2,000 people, delighting organizers and merchants. The festival features 41 vendors marketing everything from beach glass jewelry and artwork to handmade candles, crafts and souvenirs. There’s also live music, food and a beer and wine garden.
“Ashtabula is recognized by Martha Stewart and many others as one of the leading areas of the country for beach glass. You could say beach glass is ‘in’ these days,” said Alice McCarthy, who organized the event with Kelly Sposito and Brittney Binko, all of Ashtabula.
Mother Nature also cooperated with the festival, providing bright, sunny skies and temperatures hovering around 80 degrees.
“People are happy on the street and we have gorgeous weather,” McCarthy said. “We want to make it an annual event.”
Alicia McFarland, economic development director for the Ashtabula City Port Authority, donned a yellow Wine and Walleye Festival T-shirt for the day. She hopes the Wine and Walleye Festival, set for Aug. 22-23 will be as big of hit as the Beach Glass Festival.
“This is great!” McFarland said. “What a festive atmosphere.”
Shari Lynn, owner of Silver Branch on Bridge Street, said she was having a really great time.
“I’m excited that (the Lift Bridge Community) put a collective effort together and it turned out so well,” she said.
The owner of Salon 1020 on Bridge Street, Shannon Pennel, called it “a perfect day.”
The festival continues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, with the addition of a Farmer’s Market.
The numerous restaurants on Bridge Street also will be open throughout the festival.
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