Football to Fall Festival to food contest highlight Perrysburg area area activities

October is breast cancer awareness month, and Perrysburg High School is honoring survivors with free admission to Friday's home football game.

The matchup against Bowling Green is part of the Spielman Gridiron Classic, part of former NFL player Chris Spielman's fundraising efforts in honor of his late wife, Stephanie, and her memorial fund at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

The goal is to raise $100,000 for breast cancer research throughout Ohio during the fall football season. In addition, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be sending 500 students to FCA camps during the summer of 2013.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink, the signature color of breast cancer awareness, and are invited to a pre-game social which will be held in the north end zone of Steinecker Stadium. A football autographed by Spielman will be raffled at the game.

Those interested in passes to the game should contact the athletic office at 419-874-3181, ext. 5011.

October is also a signature month of the autumn season, and a Fall Festival at Levis Commons on Saturday will aim to celebrate some of its most enjoyable activities.

Events at the free event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. in the grassy area west of JB’s Sarnie Shoppe near the clock tower. They will include pumpkin bowling, hayrides, spooky science with Imagination Station, and cow milking.

Children will be able to race battery-operated mini tractors, and area country band Haywire will perform. A costume contest at 5 p.m. will award Levis Commons prize packages in three categories: most creative, best team costume, and best of show.

If you have a discerning palate, you can help judge the Wood County Throwdown, a chef competition Saturday at Penta Career Center in Perrysburg Township.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for the event hosted by the Wood County Committee on Aging. Advanced tickets are $5 and are available at 419-353-5661.

Five chefs will battle for the title the Wood County Throwdown Champion, which the public judge.

The Oct. 20 event will be hosted by the Wood County Committee on Aging at Penta Career Center at 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg Township.

Five local chefs will present an appetizer, main course, and dessert for judging of the People's Choice award. Celebrity judges include Penta Superintendent Ron Matter, Owen Community College President Mike Bower, and Blade food editor Daniel Neman.

Competing chefs are Dave Napierala of Waterford at Levis Commons; Anne Hodulik of Bowling Green Manor; James Price of Sterling House of Bowling Green; Mike Widmer of Blakely Care Canter; and Paul Dauch of Wood County Committee on Aging.

Entertainment at the event will be provided by Perrysburg Commons and Visiting Physicians Association, including the Gene Parker Quartet.