EVENTS

Special events are as frequent as waves on the beach in the Lake Erie Shores and Islands. Following are just some of the many special activities held in the region each year. Click on a specific month below to see a more detailed listing.

January

Model Train Special
R.B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont

 

February

Chocolate Is for Lovers

Lake Erie’s shoreline wineries, Cleveland to Sandusky

Arctic Ice Festival
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

 

March

St. Patrick’s Day at Put-in-Bay
Put-in-Bay

Great Lakes Home & Garden Show
Kalahari NIA Center, Sandusky

Easter Egg Roll

R.B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont

 

April

Lake Erie Wing Watch
Apr 11-13, 2008
www.lakeeriewingwatch.com
BGSU Firelands College, Huron
Join area naturalists, guest speaker Bill Thompson III – editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest and fellow bird watchers for a weekend of natural wonders. Exhibits, workshops and nature hikes focus on bird watching hints and habitats.

Taste of Vermilion
Vermilion

Gardeners Fair
Vermilion

Annual Blessing of the Fleet
Put-in-Bay

Welcome Back Fish Fry
Kelleys Island

 

May-September

A Light in the Harbor
May-Sept, 2008
www.alightintheharbor.com
Various locations throughout Sandusky
A public art exhibition of 20 amazing six foot tall, fiberglass, lighthouses, each individually designed by talented local artists, that can be viewed and photographed at various locations throughout Sandusky. The lighthouses were chosen to represent the area’s heritage of shipping and maritime activities and to promote Sandusky’s connection to Lake Erie. Maps will be available at area welcome centers in May. 

 

MAY - Click here for a detailed listing of Events in May

International Migratory Bird Day
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor

Lakeside Daisy Festival
Marblehead

Nest with the Birds
Kelleys Island

Kidsfest
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Walleye Festival

Waterworks Park, Port Clinton

 

JUNE - Click here for a detailed listing of Events in June

5k & 10k run
Kelleys Island

North Coast Thunder Rally: Ohio Bike Week

Jun 6-15, 2008
www.ohiobikeweek.com
Roeder’s Harley-Davidsonsm, Sandusky
A ten day motorcycle rally along the shores of Lake Erie.

Festival of the Fish and Main Street Marketplace
Vermilion

Port Clinton Chamber Annual Arts and Craft Show

Downtown Port Clinton

Rib Crackin’ Blues Fest
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Founder’s Day Celebration

Put-in-Bay

Historic Summerfare

Downtown Vermilion

Lakeside Garden Tour

Lakeside

Mulberry Creek Herb Fair
Huron

Portage River Festival
Depot Park, Elmore

 

JULY- Click here for a detailed listing of Events in July

Independence Day Celebrations
Lakeside, Oak Harbor, Put-in-Bay, Sandusky

July 4th Fireworks

Cedar Point, Lakeside

Festival of Ships
Downtown Sandusky

Huron River Fest
Huron Boat Basin and Amphitheater, Huron

Women’s Club Tour of Homes
Lakeside

Mid-Summer Antiques Fest
Jul 13, 2008
Village Square, Milan
A vast selection of eye-catching antiques available for sale fill the village square during this annual event. 

Castalia Cold Creek Festival
Castalia

Sail and Power Boat Regattas
Put-in-Bay

Ottawa County Fair
Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Oak Harbor

Party at the Plaza and Historic Cruise-in
Downtown Sandusky

IslandFest
Kelleys Island

National Rifle and Pistol Matches
Camp Perry, Port Clinton

North Coast Animal Expo
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Christmas in July
Put-in-Bay

Bugfest
Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor

Lakeside Symphony Opening Night
Lakeside

 

AUGUST - Click here for a detailed listing of Events in August

Berlin Heights Basket Festival
Berlin Heights

Jerry Lippus Memorial Car Show
Port Clinton

52nd Annual Arts in the Park
Lakeview Park, Port Clinton

Halupki Festival
Marblehead

Annual Antique Show
Lakeside

Antiques, Collectibles and Artists in the Park
Exchange Park, Vermilion

Perch, Peach, Polka and Pierogi Festival
Port Clinton

Perch Festival
Marblehead

Erie County Fair
Erie County Fairgrounds, Sandusky

Kelly Miller Circus
Kelleys Island

Rib Burn-off, Bluegrass Festival and fine Arts show
Huron Boat Basin and Amphitheater, Huron

Kelleys Island Outdoor Film Festival
Kelleys Island

Homecoming
Kelleys Island

Barbershop Quartet Festival
Lakeside

Toast of Ohio
Aug 16, 2008
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky
Fifth annual wine festival featuring award-winning Ohio wines, entertainment, great gourmet foods and fun family activities at local museums - all in a great location overlooking Sandusky Bay and Cedar Point. 

Vermilion Harbour Triathlon
Vermilion

Big Splash Raffle
Maritime Museum and Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Milan Melon Festival
Aug 30 - Sept 1, 2008 Milan
Gather ‘round Milan’s village square for a bustling harvest celebration of the melon. Enjoy a parade, melon ice cream, live entertainment, food, crafts, carnival rides and games.

 

SEPTEMBER - Click here for a detailed listing of Events in September

Butterfly Festival
Kelleys Island

Treasure Island Day
Kelleys Island

Sandusky Bay Antique and Flea Market and Bay Days
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Grub and Suds Motorcycle Event
Elmore

Great Lake Escape Triathlon
East Harbor State Park, Marblehead

Historical Weekend
Put-in-Bay

Port Clinton Harvest Festival
Port Clinton

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point
Sept 12-Nov 2, 2008
Cedar Point, Sandusky

Cedar Point Boat Show
Cedar Point Marina, Sandusky

Half-way to St. Patty’s Day at the Bay
Put-in-Bay

Feathers and Foliage
Kelleys Island

New Year’s Eve at the Bay
Put-in-Bay

 

October

“Boo at the Bay” Pumpkin Festival
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky

Country Harvest of Antiques and Crafts
Oct 4-5, 2008
Community Center, Birmingham
Celebrate autumn’s harvest with more than one hundred merchants selling crafts, antiques, holiday décor, food, flowers, pumpkins and gourds. Wagon rides, old-time music, blacksmithing, wool spinning and other demonstrations add to the pioneering flavor. Set amid the fall foliage of charming Birmingham, this popular event has become a harvest classic. 

A Light in the Harbor Auction

Downtown Sandusky

Tombstone Derby Motorized Casket Racing
Depot Park, Elmore

Wine Festival
Put-in-Bay

Fall Bay Regatta
Put-in-Bay

Harvest Happenings
Osborn Park, Huron

Woollybear Festival
Downtown Vermilion

Vermilion’s Old Haunted Schoolyard
Vermilion

Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Oak Harbor

Lakeside Fall Festival and Marblehead Lighthouse Festival
Lakeside - Marblehead

Hayes Civil War Encampment and Re-Enactment
R.B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont

Island Oktoberfest
Put-in-Bay

 

November

American Girl Fashion Show
Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky

Tiffin Glass Collectors Fall Show and Sale
Tiffin

Annual Stocking Stuffers Country Christmas Craft Show
Sandusky High School, Sandusky

Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Downtown Sandusky

Christmas Open House
Berlin Fruit Box Company, Berlin Heights

Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour
Port Clinton

Santa Arrives by Icebreaker
Exchange Park, Vermilion

Hayes Train Exhibit
R.B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont

Wooden Feather Day
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Oak Harbor

Olde Fashioned Christmas
Oak Harbor

Firelands Festival of Lights
Nov 28-Dec 31, 2008
Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron

Annual Holiday Bazaar
Kelleys Island

 

December

Christmas Special
Jamie’s Flea Market, Amherst

Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes
Sandusky

Community Christmas Celebration
Port Clinton

Victorian Christmas Dinners
Historic Lyme Village, Bellevue

Sleigh Rides and Christmas Dinners
R.B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont

The Great Sausage Drop
Elmore

Toast of the Town, New Year’s Eve Gala
Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky

Walleye Madness at Midnight
Port Clinton