On-going Events

Marblehead Lighthouse Tour Schedule

Marblehead

Come tour the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes!!

Tours May 27- August 29  Monday through Friday 1 p.m.- 4:45 p.m.

Additional tours 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. are held on the following Saturdays:

May 10

June 14

July 12

August 9

September 13

October 11

Riverfront Live!

Port Clinton

N Madison St/ Stensen Memorial Plaza, Port Clinton, OH 43452, 419-734-5503,

6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday

June 6^th- August 30^th

Free, live outdoor music every Friday and Saturday June through August!

Bird Walks

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Oak Harbor

The Bird Walks will be taking place at 8:30 am on Saturdays April 19^th until May 24.

APRIL 29

Blessing of the Fleet

Put-in-Bay

The 22nd annual gathering of boats and aircraft servicing the island to be blessed for the new season.  Even held at Jet Express dock downtown.  Coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and donuts will be served on the dock beginning at 11 a.m.

MAY 3-4

Free Fishing Days

State Wide

All Ohio residents’ fish free both days!

MAY 8 

Jet Express Point Pelee Birdwatching Trip

Port Clinton

1-800-245-1538

MAY 8-18 

Playmakers Civic Theater presents, “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” 

Port Clinton

419-734-1490, Performances: Thurs-Sat: 8 pm, Sundays: 2 pm

A zany, farcical presidential campaign certain to keep you laughing all evening.  Crazy?  Yes!  But it may make more sense than the political advertising we’ll be exposed to next spring!

May 10 

Lakeside Daisy Day Festival

Marblehead

James Park

Lakeside Daisy Day celebrates the blooming of the endangered Lakeside Daisy at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources preserve located in Marblehead.  This is the only place in the United States in which it grows naturally!  Festival hours are 8am - 6pm.  There will be a pancake breakfast, kids’ activities, a Daisy 5K Run, LaFarge Quarry Tours, plant sale and many other activities. 

MAY 10 

International Migratory Bird Day

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Oak Harbor

Come out and enjoy wagon rides, songbird banding, see live birds of prey and spectacular bird watching opportunities. Food will be available. Local conservation organization displays and an optic tent will be set up. A fun day for the whole family! Call 419-898-0960

MAY 11-17

Nest with the Birds

Kelleys Island

MAY 17

Queen Victoria Day and Island Garage Sale

Put-in-Bay

Queen Victoria's Birthday celebration marks the kick-off to the summer season.  Join us for the 6th annual Victoria Weekend "Put-in-Bay Poker Run" held from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. and the "Downtown Scavenger Hunt" from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.  An Island Garage Sale will also be held from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Map with locations for sales will be distributed on the day of the event.

MAY 22-26 

Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival

Port Clinton

Water Works Park, Perry St.

419-734-4386

Thurs: 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Fri-Sun: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Mon: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The 28^th Annual Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival gets underway with an array of free live concerts, kids fishing derby, parade, educational programs, and activities, carnival rides, and more than 130 vendors from around the nation.  Never in short supply, delicious food and beverages will be enjoyed by all.  This is the perfect summer kick-off!.

MAY 26

Memorial Day

Put-in-Bay

11 a.m.

Memorial Day Service at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. 

JUNE 7

2^nd Annual East Harbor Friends 5K Fun Run/Walk

East Harbor State Park

419-734-4424 ext. 2

Sponsored by The Friends of East Harbor State Park in conjunction with the Firelands Area Runners.

JUNE 8

5K & 10K Run

Kelleys Island

JUNE 5-8

14th Annual Phlocking of the Phaithful

Put-in-Bay

Jimmy Buffett where are you?  Featuring several singer/songwriters whose music can be compared to that of Jimmy Buffett.  Island headquarters is Mr. Ed's Bar at the Commodore Resort.  Must be registered in advance.

JUNE 13-15

Civil War Encampment

East Harbor State Park

419-734-4424 ext. 2

Reenactments of the life and times during the Civil War including engagements between Confederate and Union troops.

JUNE 14

Auction-O-Rama

Put-in-Bay

419-285-2804

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum has hundreds of items for sale to the highest bidder at their 2008 "Auction-O-Rama" to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall. The auction is open to the public.

JUNE 14

5th Annual Put-in-Bay Pooch Parade

Put-in-Bay

Benefit for Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church.  $10 entry fee per pooch.  Prizes for cutest, smallest, largest, most talented, individual best dressed, group best dressed, dog and owner look-a-like and most unique.  Registration begins at 1 p.m. at the DeRivera Park Gazebo.

JUNE 14

"Island Open" Volleyball Tournament at Middle Bass

Middle Bass Island

the 8th annual "Island Open" volley ball tournament will be held at St. Hazard's on Middle Bass Island.  The Miller Ferry services Middle Bass from the mainland the the Sonny S transports passengers between Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass.

JUNE 14

Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce Art and Craft Show

Port Clinton

Downtown Port Clinton

419-734-5503

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Approximately 80 vendors, covering two city blocks, selling handcrafted items.

JUNE 21 

Lakeside Chautauqua Season Opening Night

JUNE 21

5th Annual Browns Backers Rib Cook-off

Put-in-Bay

11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Meet former players from the Cleveland Browns along with The Bone Lady, Big Dawg, Mobile Dawg, and Brownie the Elf.  Great food and live band, as well as door prizes.   The event will be held at Skyway on Put-in-Bay.

JUNE 22 

Portage River Festival

Elmore

Depot Park, 353 Ottawa St. 

419-260-1282

10 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Good entertainment, fun-filled events, bands, re-enactments, and a giant car show help Elmore celebrate 157 years of history!

JUNE 25 

Lakeside Garden Tour

JUNE 28-29

2008 Bike MS Reeves Northrup Memorial Bike to the Bay

This is the premier cycling event in the Northwest Ohio region taking riders along some of the most scenic back roads in northwest Ohio.  For more information call the National MS Society's Northwestern Ohio Chapter at (419) 897-9533.

JULY 4-6

Fourth of July Festivities

East Harbor State Park

419-734-4424 ext. 2

Join us for a beach party and dance on Friday evening, then enjoy a great view from our beach of the fireworks occurring in neighboring communities. On Saturday, a car show will be a highlight of the day.

JULY 4 

Lakeside Parade and Fireworks

JULY 4

Fourth of July!

Put-in-Bay

2008's July  4th celebration begins with a Naturalization Ceremony at the Perry Victory Visitor Center at 11 a.m.  Fireworks will be over the downtown harbor.

JULY 5

Oak Harbor Independence Day Celebration

Oak Harbor

419-898-0479

JULY 6-AUGUST 2 

National Rifle & Pistol Trophy Matches,

Camp Perry, Port Clinton

419-635-2141

Competitors from all around the world come here to compete in National Pistol and Rifle Matches.  The CMP also has events that locals come to, these are just fun matches that you don’t have to be the best.

JULY 7-20 

Playmakers Civic Theater presents, “On Golden Pond”

Port Clinton

419-734-1490  Performances: Thurs-Sat: 8 pm, Sundays: 2 pm

This warm, sensitive drama will touch your heart as Ethel and Norman Thayer reminisce about their previous summers spent together on Golden Pond.  Reality, however, has a way of intruding on memories.  But today’s realities become tomorrow’s treasures.  A touching story indeed.

JULY 8-12 

Ohio Chautauqua 2008 Inventors and Innovators,

Port Clinton

Various locations throughout Port Clinton

419-734-0815

Hosted by the Port Clinton Cinema and Theatre Society (PC CATS), scholars/presenters will explore the lives/legacies of those who helped shape our modern world.  Youth/Family Day workshops at Ida Rupp Public Library, with evening program at various locations.  Evening program include music at 6 p.m., and a performance at 7 p.m.  Please call or visit our website for venues. 

JULY 9 

Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Annual Home Tour

Put-in-Bay

419-285-2804

JULY 11-12

Put-in-Bay Cup

JULY 12 

Lakeside Wooden Boat Show and “Plein Air” Paintout

JULY 12 

Music at “The Keepers House”: North Coast Concert Band, Marblehead

419-798-5832

“The North Coast Concert Band” and Tralie Henson with “Strings of Glory”.  Also, perch and bratwurst dinners complete with homemade ice cream and desserts provided by the Port Clinton Rotary.

JULY 13-17

I-LYA Junior Sail Regatta

Put-in-Bay

JULY 14-20

Ottawa County Fair

Ottawa County Fair Grounds

JULY 19 

BUGFEST!

Bird Center at Magee Marsh

Oak Harbor

From 12-4 pm at the Magee Marsh Bird Center, 13229 W. State Rt. 2., Oak Harbor. Learn about the fascinating world of insects. Five stations will be set up to allow you to explore and discover. Wade into the pond or try an edible bug. Earn your degree in Bugology! Call 419-898-0960 X 31

JULY 24 

Lakeside Women’s Club Tour of Homes

JULY 25-27

Christmas in July

Put-in-Bay

Island businesses decorate for the holiday season.  Food and beverage specials in a Christmas Theme.  Very popular weekend to visit the islands.  Lots of live entertainment and nearly the entire downtown is decorated in the Christmas Spirit.

JULY 25-27

Islandfest

Kelleys Island

JULY 27-30

Deepwater Sail Regatta

Put-in-Bay

JULY 30-31

Power  Boat Regatta

Put-in-Bay

JULY 31 

Lakeside Symphony Orchestra Opening Night

AUGUST 1-3

I-LYA Senior Sailing Races

Put-in-Bay

AUGUST 2 

Lakeside Symphony Orchestra with Pointe of Departure Ballet

AUGUST 2

Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce Jerry Lippus Memorial Classic Car and Truck Show

Port Clinton

Madison St

419-734-5503   10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Over 120 vehicles line the streets of downtown Port Clinton as proud owners display their classic cars and trucks.  Food, music, and fun!

AUGUST 2-3

Arts in the Park

Lakeview Park, Port Clinton

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

This is the 52^nd year for the show.  This annual event showcases fine art and original, handcrafted work from over 150 vendors.

AUGUST 6-20

Lakeside Photography Show

AUGUST 7

Lake Erie Islands Historical Society North Bass Island Tour

North Bass Island

Travel to North Bass Island for an historical tour of the smallest of the Lake Erie Bass Islands.  Includes ferry passage and lunch on North Bass.

419-285-2804

AUGUST 8-11

Light Up Lakeside Weekend

AUGUST 11

Lakeside Symphony Candlelight Showcase

AUGUST 16

6th Annual Middle Bass Island Volleyball Tournament

Middle Bass Island

Volleyball players will descend on Middle Bass Island a second time this season to battle for a tournament title in the 6th annual Middle Bass Island Volleyball Tournament.  Play is at St. Hazard's Beach Resort.

AUGUST 16-17

Lakeside Gladiolus Show

AUGUST 17 

Holy Assumption Halupki Festival

Marblehead

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, 114 E. Main St.

11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.

The 52^nd Annual Halupki Festival features a halupki (stuffed cabbage roll) and ham dinner as well as international a-la-carte offerings including perohi, halushki, bratwurst, European style baked goods, live polka music, dancing, and children’s activities.

AUGUST 23 

Lions Perch Festival

Marblehead

James Park

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Drawings and prizes all day, $2008 cash grand prize, Lake Erie perch, desserts by local churches, craft vendors, entertainment, parade, and children’s games.

AUGUST 23 

Lakeside Antique Show

AUGUST 23

Put-in-Bay Volleyball Classic

Put-in-Bay

For more than 25 years, volleyball players have competed in this day-long tournament held at McCann Field on Toledo Ave. near downtown.  More than 1,500 players will compete in several divisions.

AUGUST 29 

Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing

Oak Harbor

178 W. Water St.

419-898-0479

AUGUST 30 

Lakeside Barbershop Quartet Festival

AUGUST 30-31 

Perch, Peach, Polka, and Pierogi Festival

Port Clinton

Madison St.

Sat: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sun: 12 p.m.- 9 p.m.

This gala event will feature live polka music, the Rotary Perch wagon, all different types of pierogis, peach treats, a community bake sale, and a Small Fry Carnival for the kids.  Don’t forget your dancing shoes.  Free polka lessons will get you out on the dance floor.  Try your luck at sliding pierogis into 8-foot tall Babushka Betty’s mouth!  The Pierogi eating contest is sure to get you cheering.  A cornhole tournament will also be held

SEPTEMBER 6

Butterfly Festival

Kelleys Island Historical Society

419-746-2258

SEPTEMBER 6-7

Historical Weekend

Put-in-Bay

Activities and events at the Perry Memorial.  Grand Parade on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. includes local high school bands and island antique and classic cars.  War of 1812 military encampment with musket and cannon firing demonstrations will be held near the monument.  Saturday evening will be topped off with a performance by the Toledo Symphony at 6:30 p.m.  Bring a cushion or a chair.

SEPTEMBER 6

Arts in the Park

Put-in-Bay

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Area and regional artists, photographers, potters, painters, silversmiths, fabric artists and more will display and sell their work.  The event will be held at DeRivera Park. 

SEPTEMBER 7 

The Great Lake Escape

East Harbor State Park

419-734-4424 ext. 2

In sponsorship with Fat Rabbit Racing - This event is a triathlon with a 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run, (Olympic distance)

SEPTEMBER 8

Stone Lab 11th Annual Open House

Put-in-Bay/Gibraltar Island

11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

419-285-1800

The Friends of Stone Lab will host the 11th annual one-day open house for the public.  Free transportation will be provided from The Ohio State University Research Building to Gibraltar Island.  This free event includes tours of the South Bass Island Lighthouse, Stone Lab, and the Aquatic Resource Center.

SEPTEMBER 13

New Year's Eve at the Bay

Put-in-Bay

Join local establishments this evening for holiday festivities and Monte Carlo street games downtown from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 13

Treasure Island Day

Kelleys Island

SEPTEMBER 15

Dive! Put-in-Bay Harbor Clean up

Put-in-Bay

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us for the 16th annual clean-up of Put-in-Bay's downtown harbor.  More than 70 divers and an anticipated 300 land support volunteers will help in this project.

SEPTEMBER 20

5th Annual Miller Boat Line 5K at the Bay

Put-in-Bay

Join more than 400 runners in a challenging race around the island.  Proceeds benefit Mother of Sorrows Church. 

SEPTEMBER 20

Autumn Sidewalk Sale

Put-in-Bay

Island  merchants participate in an Autumn Sidewalk Sale, the big end of the season sale on Put-in-Bay.  End of the season bargains and fall and Christmas merchandise.  Great time to shop for Christmas gifts and seasonal items!

SEPTEMBER 20

Feather and Foliage Bird Festival

Kelleys Island

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 26-28 

Port Clinton Area Harvest Festival

Port Clinton

Madison St.

Fri: 5p.m.- 11 p.m. Sat: 10 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Hometown party by the people, for the people with arts, crafts, food court and more.  The Festival is free and open to the public.

SEPTEMBER 27

Half-way to St. Patty's Day 

Put-in-Bay

8th annual celebration of the half-way mark to St. Patrick's Day.  Celebration centers around island businesses promoting Irish food and beverages.  Join the fun and festivities and celebrate the Irish.

SEPTEMBER 27

"Come Back to the Bay" Homecoming Weekend

Put-in-Bay

Island businesses are extending an invitation for former employees to "come back to the Bay" this weekend for a Put-in-Bay homecoming.  Check back as plans unfold for a South Bass Island wide homecoming.

OCTOBER 4

7^th Annual Island Wine Festival

Put-in-Bay

419-285-2804

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Representatives from wineries across the US will be on hand for festival goers to sample more than 250 of their wines.  Entry is $5 with samples ranging from $1-$10 and wines costing $10-$130 a bottle.  Great silent auction items including vacation packages, large bottles of wine, ect.

OCTOBER 4-5

Fall Bay Regatta

Put-in-Bay

Come enjoy the fall weather and watch the annual fall sailing race.  This race is now in its 28th season.

OCTOBER 11 

Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Lighthouse Festival & Lakeside Fall Festival 

OCTOBER 11-12 

Apple Festival

Oak Harbor

Downtown

OCTOBER 11-12

Annual Island Oktoberfest

Put-in-Bay

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday

Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

German-style festivities, lots of food, live entertainment for the entire family.  Held under the Big Top downtown in DeRivera Park.  Maxx Band plays polka and German music both days.  German beer and wine and everything from sauerbraten to wiener schnitzel, to spaetzel and German chocolate cake!

OCTOBER 24

Halloween

Kelleys Island

OCTOBER 25 

Halloween Spooktacular

Port Clinton

OCTOBER 25

Halloween at the Bay

Put-in-Bay

Downtown taverns decorate with a theme for Halloween.  Hundreds of people in costume.  Some establishments have costume contests and give cash prizes.  The island's last big weekend.  

NOVERMBER 28-29

Holiday Bizarre

Kelleys Island

NOVEMBER 29

Olde Fashioned Christmas

Oak Harbor

419-898-0479

DECEMBER 7 

Community Christmas Celebration

Port Clinton

Adams Street Park

419-734-5503

5:30 p.m.

Community singing, Santa, hot chocolate, and cookies, plus holiday fun!

DECEMBER 13

Firelands Winery Annual Holiday Open House

Sandusky

917 Bardshar Rd. 

419-625-5475

12 p.m.- 4 p.m.

Entertainment, wine tasting, food, gift baskets, and gift shop for holiday shopping.

DECEMBER 31 

Walleye Drop

Port Clinton

Madison St.

Bring in the New Year with the only place in America that drops a fish and people sing and dance in the street! Starting at 4 p.m., enjoy heated tents, food, games for children and a full stage show capped off by fireworks. This huge celebration as seen around the world! Look at Wylie on his web site