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Wear It Ohio! Campaign to Begin May 17
In an effort to increase life jacket wear among Ohio boaters, the Division of Watercraft has announced its new Wear It Ohio! campaign. The special boating safety awareness effort will focus on boaters at Portage Lakes, Salt Fork Lake, Buck Creek and Caesar Creek Lake state parks beginning May 17 to kickoff National Safe Boating Week. [Wear It Ohio! details]

Public Invited To Comment On Boating Programs, Issues The Division of Watercraft is hosting public forums at ten locations around Ohio to receive public comments regarding boating issues and future management of Ohio’s boating programs. Schedule of Public Forums

Free Boating Safety Equipment Inspections Offered Statewide Recreational boaters can begin their boating season safely and with confidence by obtaining a free vessel safety equipment check at boat ramps around Ohio. Full Story   Find a VSC Near You

New Paddle Quest Series Announced By Gander Mountain
Gander Mountain Company announced plans to host ten canoeing and kayaking events across Ohio beginning May 10 at Shawnee State Park. The new Paddle Quest event series is being held in partnership with the Division of Watercraft and Ohio State Parks. Paddle Quest info from Gander Mountain

2008 Events & Dates

Click here for a list of scheduled Vessel Safety Checks.

May

May 1: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Independence, 7-9pm

May 2-4: Catawba Island Boat Show

May 3-4: ODNR Wildlife FREE FISHING DAYS

May 6: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Rootstown, 7-9pm

May 7: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Cambridge, 7-9pm

May 8: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Bethel, 7-9pm

May 10: Paddle Quest 2008 Shawnee State Park, 10am. Registration required.

May 10: Explore The Outdoors ...a campaign to get kids outside, enjoying nature; Alum Creek State Park Beach, 1-3pm

May 10-11: Midwest Scholastic Rowing Regatta Harsha Lake, 513-734-4323

May 14: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Oak Harbor, 7-9pm

May 15: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Celina, 7-9pm

May 17-23: National Safe Boating Week

May 17: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park Main Ramp, 10am-2pm

May 17: Midwest Junior Rowing Championship Harsha Lake, 513-734-4323

May 17: River Day Brust Park, Route 91, 9am-3pm; Sponsored by Munroe Falls Park Board; Contact Roxanne Toth, 330-686-9909, marie.toth@sbcglobal.net

May 17: Buckeye Lake Clean-up 740-467-2690

May 18: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park Old Park Ramp, 10am-2pm

May 18: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Morning Glory Ramp, 1-3pm

May 18: Wear It Ohio! Caesar Creek State Park Wellman Meadows Ramp, 11am-3pm; Pontoon Boat Rides; Sportsman Day

May 20: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Portsmouth, 7-9pm

May 21: Watercraft Strategic Planning Public Forum Lewis Center, 7-9pm

May 24: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Marina Ramp, 11am-1pm

May 24: Wear It Ohio! Buck Creek State Park  Main Ramp, 11am-3pm; Sportsman Day

May 31: Paddle Quest 2008 Burr Oak State Park, 10am. Registration required.

May 31: Wear It Ohio! Caesar Creek State Park Wellman Meadows Ramp, 11am-3pm; Water-skiing and Tubing Day

June

June 1: Paddle Demo Day Chillicothe City Park

June 1: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Morning Glory Ramp, 1-3pm

June 1-3: Italian Festival Ohio River, Newport

June 1-4: National Fishing and Boating Week

June 7-8: North Coast Harbor Boating and Fishing FestCleveland lakefront

June 7: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park Main Ramp, Noon-4pm

June 7: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Marina Ramp, 11am-1pm

June 7: Paddle Safe/Paddle Fun Five Rivers MetroPark, Eastwood Lake, 937-275-PARK

June 8: Wear It Ohio! Buck Creek State Park Main Ramp, 11am-3pm; Water-skiing and Tubing Day

June 14: North Central Ohio Boating and Fishing Festival Pleasant Hill Lake, 740-548-5490

June 14: Paddle Quest 2008 Hueston Woods State Park, 8am. Registration required.

June 15: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Morning Glory Ramp, 1-3pm

June 15: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park "On the Water" event Noon-4pm; Pontoon boat rides, games and prizes

June 15: Wear It Ohio! Caesar Creek State Park Wellman Meadows Ramp, 11am-3pm; Paddling day

June 21: Ohio River Sweep ORSANCO, 513-231-7719

June 21: Wear It Ohio! Lake Fest Caesar Creek State Park beach, 11am-3pm; Paddling day

June 21: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Marina Ramp, 11am-1pm

June 21-24: Hover Rally Yoctangee Park Annex, Scioto River, www.hoverclubofamerica.org

June 27-28: 17th Annual Ohio River Way Paddlefest www.OhioRiverWay.org

June 28: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park at The Beach, Noon-4pm demo day for canoes, kayaks, PWC, and powerboats.

June 28: Paddle Quest 2008 Deer Creek State Park, 8am. Registration required.

June 28: Stark County Parks Summer Splash at Walborn Reservoir 10am to 2pm

June 29: Wear It Ohio! Salt Fork State Park Morning Glory Ramp, 1-3pm

June 29: Wear It Ohio! Buck Creek State Park Main Ramp, 11am-3pm; Paddling day

July

July 12: Wear It Ohio! Portage Lakes State Park "On The Water" event; Pontoon boat rides, games and prizes; 2-6pm

July 12: Paddle Quest 2008 Salt Fork State Park, 8am. Registration required.

July 26: Paddle Quest 2008 Mohican State Park, 8am. Registration required.

August

August 9: Paddle Quest 2008 Geneva State Park, 8am. Registration required.

August 23: Paddle Quest 2008 Punderson State Park, 8am. Registration required.

September

Sep. 5-7: Midwest Freestyle Canoe Symposium

Sep. 12-21: Coastweeks 2008

September 13: Paddle Quest 2008 Maumee Bay State Park, 8am. Registration required.

Sep. 17-21: Cedar Point In-water Boat Show, Sandusky

September 20: Paddle Quest 2008 Salt Fork State Park, 8am. Registration required.