HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP – People living in Ashtabula County likely have driven through a covered bridge many times, but a fundraising event on Saturday, Aug. 22, provided an opportunity that only comes up once a year.
The Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival Committee and the Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department came together to host the “Picnic in the Bridge” at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge.
Not only was the event a fundraiser for both organizations, as it raised appreciation for the County’s covered bridges, it also helped celebrate America 250.
As part of the event, the bridge was shut down to vehicular traffic, and tables and chairs filled the bridge instead.
Guests dined on fried chicken, pulled pork and sides catered by Village Table.
They also enjoyed wine tastings from M Cellars, Grand River Cellars and the Winery at Spring Hill.
There was also a basket and silent auction.
To celebrate the America 250 theme, people could take their photos with cutouts of Paul Revere or Betsy Ross.
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival Executive Director Ginger Whitehead was pleased with the turnout for the event, which saw people come from Ashtabula County and beyond for the rare opportunity to dine inside a covered bridge.
While a Picnic in the Bridge has been held in the past at Smolen-Gulf Bridge and Riverview Bridge, this was the first time it was held at Harpersfield Bridge, and with the partnership of the HVFD.
As for how that partnership came about, Whitehead said the CBFC had heard HVFD was interested in holding a dinner in the bridge, so she reached out to them because of the CBFC’s past experience holding such an event.
The partnership helped bring in more volunteers to put on the event.
“It’s the first one in this bridge,” Whitehead said. “It’s a very unique fundraiser.”
Whitehead said the funds are split between the CBFC and the HVFD, with the CBFC using its portion to help put on the Covered Bridge Festival in October.
The central festival activities will take place at Harpersfield Bridge this year.
The bridge will be home to entertainment, strolling entertainers, food trucks and vendors.
The Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department will be holding their beef roast there also.
One of the HVFD volunteers at the event was Captain Patrick Linehan, who was helping to pour wine samples.
He said the partnership for the event benefitted both organizations.
“They didn’t have enough volunteers, and we said, ‘Well, we have a lot of volunteers,’” Linehan said.
Assistant Chief Matt Rahija liked the opportunity to showcase the Metroparks and the bridge with the fundraiser, inside of Harpersfield Township.
“This is our backyard,” Rahija said.
He was pleased with the support at the event.
“This is fantastic,” Rahija said.
Rahija said the funds will be used for the training fund for firefighters who want to advance their career in firefighting and/or public service rescue.
“We also buy turnout gear with it,” Linehan said.
Rahija said they hope to host the event again next year.
One of the guests at the fundraiser was Michelle Michalski, of Eastlake.
“I spent my childhood here,” Michalski said. “I’ve been coming here since I was born.”
While the bridge was closed for renovations, Michalski said she kept driving out to Harpersfield to check on the work and if the bridge was open yet.
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