KELLEYS ISLAND HOMECOMING WEEKEND TO BE DEDICATED TO
“BIG CHUCK” SCHODOWSKI
KELLEYS ISLAND, OHIO, JUNE 17, 2025 — Kelleys Island Landowners Association (KILA) is proud to announce that long time Kelleys Island landowner and Cleveland TV legend, Chuck Schodowski, will be posthumously honored, and Homecoming Weekend, August 8-9, 2025, will celebrate his career. Mr. Schodowski is well known for his “Ghoulardi,” “Hoolihan and Big Chuck Show,” and “The Big Chuck and Lil’ John Show” that spanned on the air from 1963 through 2007. These shows were the precursor to “Saturday Night Live” with B rated movies and thousands of comedy skits, including the infamous “Kielbasy Kid.” Mr. Schodowski was awarded 28 Emmys during his illustrious career.
To celebrate KILA’s 51st annual Homecoming festival there are great activities planned. This year’s Homecoming will be held at the Kelleys Island Community Park on Addison Street. Landowners and visitors are welcome and encouraged to join the fun, and this event is family friendly.
Friday evening there will be a Perch Fry dinner and “Frank and Dean” for musical entertainment.
Saturday morning festivities begin at 11:00 am with a parade. The parade will feature the Edison High School and Crestline High School Marching Bands, along with historical vehicles and floats. Big Chuck’s family will be represented in the Grand Marshall’s car.
At the festival venue on Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm there will be games, vendor tents, wildlife demonstrations from “Back to the Wild,” a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, and a barbeque and refreshments. “Fat City Band” will provide entertainment.
In addition KILA has been awarded an Event Grant to sponsor KILA’s Homecoming Weekend festival and parade by the Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau, Inc., part of Shores & Islands Ohio, the destination marketing organization for Erie and Ottawa counties, This grant is to help with the promotion KILA’s biggest event, which has been held annually since1974.
In memory of Big Chuck, let’s share his credo that was on his old piano with a wooden sign adorned with white socks, a beer stein, and the words “BREW-SKIS and “WHIS-SKIS, and “MAY THE POLISH SPIRITS MOVE YOU.”
Na zdrowie to all!
For more information on Homecoming, please go to our website at www.kila.rocks.com
