1970 Vermilion Festival of the Fish: Cleveland Indians and Royalty

Although the 54th Annual celebration has been postponed due to the Coronavirus, the Fourth Annual Vermilion Festival of the Fish back in 1970 came off as planned (although rain resulted in the cancellation of the Sunday parade). The Festival ran June 19 through the 21st.

Part of the fun back in 1970 was the special appearances of some Cleveland Indians players as part of a promotion sponsored by Lorain National Bank. Above is an ad that ran in the Vermilion Photojournal on June 18, 1970.

That’s quite a lineup of Indians players slated to appear: “Sudden Sam” McDowell; Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson; Ray Fosse; Dean Chance; and Tony Horton.

While I was familiar with some of the other players (my brothers and I had “Hawk” Harrelson autographed photos), I didn’t know the sad story of Tony Horton’s short baseball career until I read his Wiki entry. Here’s hoping he’s doing well today.

Horton did have the honor of posing with the lovely duo of 1970 Festival of the Fish Queen Linda Vasitas and Attendant Debbie Wakefield though.

Photo courtesy Vermilion Photojournal
June 18, 1970

Queen Linda Vasitas and Attendant Debbie Wakefield were also featured in an ad for Erie County Bank that ran in the June 18th Photojournal.

Tomorrow: More 1970 Vermilion Festival of the Fish Fun