As winter bids its chilly farewell, Shores & Islands Ohio is gearing up for a lively March and April, where the air is filled with the promise of spring and cosmic excitement. From the burst of colorful blooms to the upcoming total solar eclipse, there's a lot happening in this neck of the woods. Get ready to discover unique events, cultural vibes, and, of course, some celestial magic. Shores & Islands Ohio is calling, so join the fun and let's make the most of this season's lively happenings! Here, some of the top events taking place in the next two months:
Sandusky Restaurant Week
Monday-Sunday, Mar 4-10, 2024
Various locations, Sandusky
Calling all foodies! Tempting fare and equally tempting deals make an excellent way to enjoy a meal at your favorite places, check out a new spot, or try an unfamiliar cuisine. Join us for a week of flavor delights, March 4-10 at various restaurants throughout Sandusky.https://www.shoresandislands.com/restaurant-week/
Female Owned Female Empowered
Friday, Mar 8, 2024
5:30-7:30 pm
Venue 634, Sandusky
Come support the phenomenal women in our community and celebrate female empowerment! Join us on March 8th for an extraordinary International Women's Day celebration, featuring snacks, sweets, cocktails, chair massages, skincare consultations, and a shopping experience that supports our incredible female entrepreneurs! Your ticket also includes a chance to win one of our incredible door prizes and raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Four Old Broads
Friday-Sunday, Mar 8-10, 2024 and Mar 15-17, 2024
Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm
Playmakers Civic Theatre, Port Clinton
Former burlesque star Beatrice Shelton is itching for a change and she's had enough of the repeated visits to Helen, Georgia's "adorable German village." She believes a Sassy Seniors Caribbean Cruise could be the perfect escape if only she can persuade her devout best friend, Eaddy Mae Clayton, to take a break from her prayers and accompany her. However, the atmosphere at Magnolia Place Assisted Living has been less than ideal since Nurse Pat Jones started her tenure. The latest resident, Imogene Fletcher, is facing unexpected memory lapses. Maude Jenkins is engrossed in her beloved soap drama and is busy organizing her own farewell ceremony. As they navigate this chaos, a mystery peppered with laughs unfolds. This group is determined to outwit the dubious Nurse Pat Jones and decipher why so many peers are being shifted to "the dark side," the nature of a peculiar pill, and the whereabouts of Doctor Head. The plot thickens with comedic twists.
Fall in Love Bridal Expo
Saturday, Mar 9, 2024
12-3 pm
Ten Fifty Eight Event Center, Sandusky
Come on out and fall head over heels at the Fall in Love Bridal Expo! A fun event for everything that will add even more magic to your magical day! You'll get the chance to meet local vendors that will help you plan as well as free food & drinks and fun prizes! Admission is also completely free for this event.
Vive La France
Saturday, Mar 9, 2024
7:30 pm
Sawmill Creek Convention Center, Huron
Take a tour of France with famed pieces by various French composers performed by the Firelands Symphony Orchestra and Firelands Symphony Chorale. Highlighting the concert will be the dual performance by the orchestra and chorale of Poulenc’s Gloria, known for its rich, flowing harmonies, both dark and whimsical. The orchestra also performs the music of Saint-Saëns, Berlioz, Debussy, as well as Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld Overture, which includes the famous can-can!
Planetarium Show: Great American Solar Eclipse
Sunday, March 10 - 1:15 pm & 3:15 pm
Thursday, March 14 - 4:30 pm & 5:00 pm
Sunday, March 16 - 11:30 am
Wednesday, March 27 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 7 - 1:15 pm, 2:15 pm, & 3:15 pm
Sidney Frohman Planetarium, Sandusky
Learn about this once-in-a-lifetime event and experience an indoor recreation of a total eclipse at the Sidney Frohman Planetarium! This event is for ages 8 yrs & older. Free pairs of solar viewing glasses will be handed out to attendees while supplies last.
The Art of Salvaging
Sunday, Mar 10, 2024
6-7 pm
Patina Porch, Sandusky
The Old House Guild invites you to join them as Benny Byington, one of the owners of Patina Porch, will present a program on the art of Salvaging and Repurposing items to use in your home or business. You will enjoy meeting and visiting with Ben who is a local barber by day and a scavenger when not cutting hair. You will be amazed at the Sandusky history this expert scavenger has collected. We guarantee you will learn a lot and you will leave wondering if Ben’s mind ever lacks for an idea to turn what most people would consider junk into a useful addition to your décor.
The Distillery Comedy Tour at Everwild
Thursday, Mar 14, 2024
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
7-8:30 pm
Everwild Spirits, Sandusky
Come on out to Everwild Spirits for hilarious laughs and amazing drinks, a combination sure to make any night a great one! Currently in its tenth year, this nationwide comedy tour has already hit 4000 venues across the country. Their comedy nights are filled with hilarious jokes from some of the best comedians in the industry. Come and enjoy a delicious craft cocktail or bourbon flight while you laugh your worries away.
Mindful Wellness Herb & Garden Symposium
Saturday, Mar 23, 2024
8 am-1:30 pm
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, Elmore
Join in at Schedel Gardens for their Mindful Wellness Herb & Garden Symposium, featuring shopping and guest speakers on the following topics: Bonsai 101, Gardening for the Soul, Hydrangea Dynamics, Inspiring Herbs, the Calm of house plants, and the Importance of Native Plants for supporting a healthy ecosystem. Ticket includes lunch and beverage from Bella Cuisine.
Annual Easter Egg & Candy Hunt
Saturday, Mar 23, 2024
2-4 pm
Adolphus Kraemer Park, Oak Harbor
The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding their annual Easter Egg Hunt! The event will begin in Adolphus Kraemer Park at the Log Cabin with an Easter Egg Hunt, followed by a candy hunt downtown, and then visits with the Easter Bunny at the Log Cabin! This event is free to the public and open to children ages 12 yrs. and under.
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
Event 11 am-3 pm, Easter Egg Hunt 11:30 am & 3 pm
Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, Elmore
The Easter Egg at Schedel Gardens is a fun time for children and their families that you won't want to miss out on! Then feel free to stick around and enjoy the beautiful 17 acre garden estate as well as delicious food from Mac & Loaf's Grill Food Truck, amazing live music and drinks. The fun activities for this event also include cookie decorating, face painting, a bouncy house, a baked goods sale and so much more! Bring your own basket! This event is free and canned goods are being collected for the Elmore Food Bank.
Hayes Easter Egg Roll
Saturday, Mar 30, 2024
12-2 pm
R.B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
Kids are invited to an afternoon of fun at the annual Hayes Easter Egg Roll, which replicates the White House Easter Egg Roll that Rutherford B. Hayes started when he was president! The egg roll is from 12-2 pm, and kids and their families can stop by any time during that time to participate. The event is geared toward kids ages 3-10 yrs, but kids of all ages are welcome. Kids are asked to bring three hard-boiled, colored eggs to use in the traditional egg games, which will take place on the Hayes Home lawn. These are the same games played at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Kids ages 3 to 10 yrs can also bring a pre-decorated egg to enter in the decorated egg contest. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, story reading, a craft and corn hole toss. The Easter Bunny will make an appearance and be available to take photos with event participants.
Total Solar Eclipse and related activities
Wednesday-Monday, April 3-8, 2024
Various Locations
Get ready for a blackout you will never forget! On April 8, 2024, the moon will completely block out the sun for a rare total solar eclipse. Due to our global position directly in the path of totality, our communities in and around Shores & Islands Ohio will enjoy incredible, unobstructed viewing times of approximately four minutes—one of the longest durations in the entire region! The eclipse might be over in a flash, but the celebrations, viewing parties and events throughout our area will last for days…and the memories will last a lifetime.
Village Pump Early Bird Party
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024
12-6 pm
The Village Pump, Kelleys Island
Haven’t you missed those Brandy Alexanders all winter? Now you can reconnect with your island refuge early in the season! The Village Pump started the Early Bird Party in April over 10 years ago. It’s a great reason to come out by boat, ferry, or airplane and start the 2024 season. Stop in for entertainment, fun, food, cocktails, games, and prizes.
Violin Virtuosity
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024
7:30 pm
$30 per ticket, Student(s): Free
Sawmill Creek Resort Convention Center, Huron
The Firelands Symphony Orchestra is joined by guest violinist Steven Greenman, a soulful and virtuosic performer of Klezmer and Eastern European folk music. The program will be a mixture of Greenman’s own compositions, as well as compositions by Brahms, Enesco, and David Rubinoff. An added highlight is music from John Williams’ adaptation for the movie version of Fiddler on the Roof, which earned him his first Oscar.
Earth Day Extravaganza 2024!
Saturday, Apr 20, 2024
11 am-3 pm
Osborn MetroPark, Huron
Join friends, family and everyone else in celebrating Earth Day! There will be fun for the whole family, including kids crafts, live animals, informative displays, food trucks, retail vendors, and the Ohio Wildlife Youth Art Show and so much more!
Whiskey Light Celebration 2024!
Sunday, Apr 21, 2024
12-6 pm
Round House Bar, Put-in-Bay
Join friends, family, locals and tourists alike at the Round House Bar for the annual Whiskey Light Celebration, a beloved Put-in-Bay tradition marking the start of the island’s vibrant season! This event centers around the iconic moment when the Whiskey Light is lit, symbolizing the awakening of Put-in-Bay’s lively spirit. Enjoy a day filled with music, laughter, and community, highlighted by a performance from Ray Fogg singing his iconic song, “Look For The Whiskey Light.” Whether you’re an island regular or a first-time visitor, this celebration promises a warm welcome and a festive atmosphere that captures the essence of Put-in-Bay.
Progressive Catawba Island Boat Show
Friday-Sunday, Apr 26-28, 2024
Fri 12-6 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm
Catawba Island Club, Catawba
The Progressive Catawba Island Boat Show is excited to once again see you! If you need a boat, want a boat, or just want to fantasize about boats, there’s 
never a better time to get back together as everyone dives into a new boating season. Join their OMTA team and all of their wonderful exhibitors at Ohio’s first in-water boat show of the year! Take in the first sights of spring and enjoy a diverse display of boats, seminars, education, shopping, culinary tastings, live music, and more
Vermilion in Bloom Gardeners Fair
Saturday, Apr 27, 2024
9 am-3 pm
Sailorway Middle School, Vermilion
The Annual Vermilion in Bloom Gardener's Fair, a Vermilion in Bloom event, will bring the sights and smells of spring to Sailorway Middle School. Shop for flowers and plants from local growers, unique planters, garden art, fairy gardens, one-of-a-kind original art, soaps and lotions and more! This event is organized and directly benefits Vermilion in Bloom.
Draft Day 5K & Kid's Fun Run
Sunday, Apr 28, 2024
9:20 am
Put-in-Bay
The 10th Annual Draft Day 5k will take place on the historic island of Put-in-Bay, Ohio! Whether you prefer to run or walk, make plans to enter one of the races and celebrate the Cleveland Browns! Every participant will receive an Official Draft Day 5k Jersey, custom race bib, goody bag, drink discounts, free lunch, an awards ceremony and more. This event will benefit the Lake Erie Islands Browns Backers charities.
