Painting the Pied Piper

HURON — The artwork made a once-vanilla wall look more vibrant than ever. Several people teamed up on an art project at a landmark business in Huron best known for serving up ice cream and other tasty treats. This would include: • Spouses Anthony and Pam Frank, who own Pied Piper Drive In • Local artist Darcy Berardi, who the Franks commissioned for this project • Those at Shores & Islands Ohio, who provided a nearly $5,000 grant to cover project expenses A new mural on the side of the Pied Piper showcases aspects of Huron on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. Mapping out the mural Anyone who's recently driven by or walked up to Pied Piper, on U.S. 6 across from a BP gas station, should have noticed a new mural on a rectangular-shaped canvas, doubling as a support wall for Pied Piper. The painting, done by Berardi, depicts many notable local sites in illustration form found along this highway, also known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. For instance, she drew: • Roller coaster in a skyline, highlighting Cedar Point • A cow's head, paying tribute to Toft Dairy, which supplies ice cream for Pied Piper • Many nautical elements, showing off this area's most well-known waterfront staples like Old Woman Creek, Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, Jackson Street Pier, Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, Ruggles Beach and Volunteer Bay • Huron's best attractions, namely St. Peter Catholic Church, the city's municipality department, the lighthouse and, of course, Pied Piper A new mural on the side of the Pied Piper in Huron on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The Pied Piper figure also received a fresh coat of paint. Tony offered up a vision for Berardi to convey through her artwork on this wall. "I researched photos from each site to best represent that specific area," Berardi said. This isn't Berardi's first public mural in Huron. She also painted one at Main and Standard streets, serving as a living memorial in tribute to the late Chris and Owen Kedas. "That was our inspiration for our mural," Tony said. "We live right by there. When we would drive by it, we kept saying that we had to track (Darcy) down to commission her for something at our place." He continued: "And, coming home from Cleveland, we came across a sign reading 'Grand Army of the Republic Highway,' which is a highway that cuts right through Pied Piper and goes coast to coast from Massachusetts to California. We just decided to we wanted people to know we are located on this highway and that others should know all the other great landmarks that are on this highway right here in Erie County." Already this summer, many customers sitting at the picnic benches have enjoyed looking at this mural. It brings back happy memories for some and sparks dialogue among diners. "One day, I came out here and heard a lady with her grandkids talking about how her parents met at Ruggles Beach," Pam said. "There are going to be lots of stories like that of people remembering things just by looking at this wall." Darcy Berardi, left, and Pied Piper owners Pam and Tony Frank stand next to the mural Darcy painted on the side of the business in Huron. Getting the grant The Franks and Berardi thanked Shores & Islands Ohio for providing the necessary funding to cover project expenses. Shores & Islands Ohio funds what's known as Destination Development grants. Applicants can receive money if a project can, among other reasons, attract and/or engage visitors or residents, which this mural does, officials said. When the Franks and Berardi approached Erie County's flagship tourism bureau about their idea, officials fully expressed their support and backed up those words with a check. This mural "brings to light some historical and educational landmarks in Erie County," said Amanda Smith Rasnick, the bureau's Destination Development director. "The mural is visible from one of the main thoroughfares through Huron, beatifying a building that was once stale." Smith Rasnick then noted how, "Their project highlights the quality-of-place amenities and some attractions. The mural enhances the visitor and resident experience while they are enjoying a tasty treat from a local business." The Franks and Berardi — who also credited Pied workers Casey Laffey and Ella Schwartz for touching up the yellow-clad Pied Piper mascot, proudly hoisting a vanilla and orange sherbet twist cone, beside this mural — welcome people to stop by Pied Piper to get an up-close and personal look at their mural. "It's just something cool to look at," Pam said. "It will strike up a conversation for both young and old," Berardi said. "And it's just a nice representation of the area," Tony said. A full view of the new mural on the side of the Pied Piper in Huron on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.