Large crowds fight in Put-in-Bay

PUT-IN-BAY — Crowds of rowdy tourists created havoc in Put-in-Bay during the island's annual Christmas in July celebration this past weekend. Several videos posted on Facebook show crowds of people engaging in multiple brawls. It was a nightmare for Put-in-Bay police and business owners as several fights broke out on Miller ferry, at Put-in-Bay and the docks in Catawba Island Township. In one video, two women on the ferry attempt to hit each other in the face until two bystanders pulled them apart. They continued to yell at each other as one woman aggressively smacked her hand into her fist. A law enforcement officer then pushed his way through the crowd before the video ends.In another video, a woman walks toward the buses from the ferry when someone runs up and knocks her to the ground. An all-out fight breaks out with numerous people shoving others.At one point in the video, two men punch a person on the ground. The camera then pans to a man who shoved another person up against a fence before a bystander separates them. People continued to exchange words and try to fight, but they were held back.Another video appears to show a man try to break free of several police officers on the island before he is finally forced to the ground and arrested.Catawba Island police arrested at least three people and the Ohio State Highway Patrol charged a few people for operating a vehicle under the influence."This is why we don't go at this time anymore it's a shame," said Tom Lubinski in the Facebook group "The Talk of Port Clinton (uncensored)."Others posted comments sharing their views. "Should have kicked every last one of them off the boat," Chris Glick Cameron posted.Added Malinda Winter: "No matter where you go, if you have that many people in one place and add alcohol to the mix, you will more than likely end up having some fights."Others posted comments blaming the behavior on the people's race.A large portion, however, blamed the fights on tourists from Detroit after tour groups, All 4 One Travel LLC and Let's Travel the World, had buses shuttle people to the Jet Express for Put-in-Bay's Christmas in July.Put-in-Bay village council president Jessica Dress commented on the massive droves of people who descended on the island. "They all arrive at the same time, overriding our infrastructure," Dress said. "It's a different type of customer than the island is accustomed to."She said these groups rented almost every golf cart on the island, causing gridlocks. The village chamber of commerce president, Brad Ohlemacher, agreed golf carts seemed to be the main source of the problems."It's an abundance of people coming at one time and seeing golf carts as toys and not a motor vehicle," Ohlemacher said.Dress said village residents are concerned with the direction the event could be heading. Ohlemacher agrees something should be done to try to avoid future safety issues, but he believes Put-in-Bay has a lot offer all its visitors."We welcome everybody, we just want them to the follow the rules while they're here," he said.Both Dress and Ohlemacher said they thought Put-in-Bay police did an exemplary job during the weekend event. Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterA video published online on Facebook records part of a melee occurring Saturday on the Miller Ferry either going to or leaving Put-in-Bay for the Christmas in July event.