Here's the hook on this year's Walleye Drop

PORT CLINTON — The 2024 New Year's Eve Walleye Drop is presented by Bassett's Market, which is celebrating its 125th year of service in Ohio. The festival begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 on North Madison Street in Port Clinton near Great Lakes Popcorn. The main attraction, the Walleye Drop, consists of dropping a 20-foot, 600-pound LED-lit walleye at midnight. The fish is suspended in the air by a crane, then dropped on North Madison Street right in front of the event's mainstage. Fireworks are set for immediately after the Walleye Drop at midnight with loads of fun in between. The event has no admission fee, and you can expect to find activities like Touch-a-Truck, live entertainment, food vendors, ice sculpting, face painting and more. You can hop on a Swig Ohio bus shuttle that begins at the Gristmill Bar. It'll take you to local establishments: The Brick House, Cleats Marblehead, Beer 30, Crow's Nest, Bell Mell Tavern & Pizza and Jamestown Tavern The Touch-a-Truck portion goes from 3-5 p.m. It will include fire trucks, SWAT teams, K-9s and police officers. It will allow children to see and get inside vehicles driven by first responders. The Minnow Drop event takes place in the Knights of Columbus Hall from 4-6 p.m., which is free for kids and parents. It will provide snacks, hot dogs, crafts, a DJ and more. The minnow is set to drop at 6 p.m. Mike Snider, Port Clinton's mayor, is set to play rock-paper-scissors with children at the event on the mainstage from 6:30-7 p.m. Signup will be at the Port Clinton Fish House. There will also be a grand prize drawing with tickets selling for $20 a piece at the event. You can enter to win a fishing charter for up to six people provided by Pooh Bear Fishing Charters. This will include a one-night stay for up to six people at The Pond Condominiums or four Jet Express tickets courtesy of the Jet Express including a one-night stay at Blame Jaime. Visit the apparel booth next to the stage to purchase tickets. People can visit wyliewalleyefoundation.com to learn more about the event. This event brings together the community and provides an influx of business locally and to the surrounding areas. Experiencing the area in the winter provides a different perspective of what Port Clinton has to offer beyond the summer months. The Walleye Drop provides a full schedule of events and entertainment for all ages leading up to the main event of Wylie the Walleye dropping from the sky at midnight with fireworks following.