August is one of the most exciting times to experience Shores & Islands Ohio! Fittingly, the America 250-Ohio theme for the month is "Ohio Goes to the Fair: The Ohio State Fair, County Fairs, and Festivals," highlighting the gatherings that have brought Ohio communities together for generations. From beloved county fair traditions and community festivals to concerts, art shows, history, foodie and waterfront fun, these events showcase the very best of summer on the Lake Erie shore. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or looking for a reason to explore close to home, these 25 can't-miss August events are sure to make the most of the final stretch of summer.
"1776" The Musical
Thursday-Saturday, Jul 30-Aug 1, 2026
McCormick School Auditorium, Huron
In honor of our nation’s 250th Anniversary, The Huron Historical Society and Alumni of The Huron Playhouse proudly present the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 — a stirring and entertaining retelling of the birth of American independence. 1776 brings history to life with sharp wit, moving drama, and a rousing score that captures the passion and debate behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, the production features playhouse alumni and community members in the powerhouse cast.
Declaration 250 Commemoration
Friday-Sunday, July 31-Aug 2, 2026
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay
Join The Perry Group and the Lake Erie Heritage Foundation for Declaration 250, a national commemoration recognizing the true signing date of the Declaration of Independence — August 2, 1776. While July 4 marks the adoption of the Declaration, it was on August 2 that the majority of the 56 signers formally affixed their names, risking their lives and livelihoods in defense of liberty. Declaration 250 seeks to restore the historical significance of this often-overlooked moment in American history. Weekend events include free concerts with Asia on Friday, Jefferson Starship on Saturday, and Lee Greenwood on Sunday, as well as performances from The Ohio State University Marching Band and the Bowling Green State University Marching Band! Plus tall ships, Freedom Village walkthrough, historical encampments, and ceremonies. All events are free and open to the public - Visit website for full schedule.
Island Green Week 2026
Saturday-Saturday, Aug 1-8, 2026
Gibraltar Island, Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, and South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay)
A celebration of natural beauty, ecology, and history. The Lake Erie Islands are a breathtaking destination, with opportunities to see utterly amazing parts of nature, history, and culture. The week includes an array of events to support and highlight our islands’ Natural, Historical and Cultural Resources. All events are family friendly, inclusive, and accessible.
ARTS in the Park
Saturday-Sunday, Aug 1-2, 2026
Lakeview Park, Port Clinton
Join the fun and a talented lineup of artists for a two-day celebration of creativity. Stroll through a vibrant collection of fine art and decorative art, meet the makers, and find something special to take home. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, all set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Erie.
Great Lakes Rockabilly Road Trip Music Festival
Saturday, Aug 1, 2026
Various Locations, Port Clinton
Great Lakes Rockabilly Road Trip Music Festival™, the Midwest’s premier festival celebrating all things Rockabilly with multiple acts on 3 stages, vendors, car show, pin-up pageant and more.
Kelleys Island Film Fest
Saturday-Sunday, Aug 1-2, 2026
Ball Field, Kelleys Island
Relax outdoors to watch popular box office movies, drive-in style, free of charge, in front of a large inflatable screen. The outdoor movies begin with an early movie at dusk and another late night to follow. Snacks and drinks will be for sale during all showtimes.
Summer Market & Wine Festival
Saturday, Aug 1, 2026
Gideon Owen Wine Company, Catawba
Join in for a day of shopping, sipping, and summer fun! Browse 30+ local vendors, enjoy award-winning Gideon Owen wines, delicious food, live music, and the beautiful atmosphere of the historic winery. Come shop local, sip local, and celebrate summer with Gideon Owen!
Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Stage 7
Thursday-Sunday, Aug 6-9, 2026
Shelby Street Boat Launch and Paper District Marina, Sandusky
Major League Fishing is excited to call Lake Erie - Sandusky home to Stage 7 of the Bass Pro Tour. 51 anglers from all over the country will put their skills to the test to see who can catch the biggest bass Lake Erie has to offer. On Saturday and Sunday enjoy the MLF Fishing Show and Watch Party at the Paper District Marina. Come and watch the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Stage 7: Lake Erie - Sandusky live on the MLFNOW! big screen. Enjoy free food, enter to win giveaways, and cheer on the best pros in bass fishing when the top 10 anglers cross the stage following lines out. Youth of all ages can participate in the fishing derby each day where gear and bait will be provided. The first 50 kids 14 and under will receive a free Zebco rod and reel each day following the angler interviews and trophy ceremony.
Lake Erie Awareness Day
Thursday, Aug 6, 2026
Put-in-Bay
Lake Erie Awareness Day brings the magic of Lake Erie’s history, culture, and natural resources to Put-in-Bay! Spend the day touring South Bass Island while learning about Ohio’s greatest water resource and visiting education stations to learn about island history, native plants and animals, the dangers of plastic pollution, and boating safety. Fun giveaways and a great day in nature awaits! Go to all the stations and be entered to win a fabulous island themed prize.
Berlin Heights Basket Festival
Friday-Saturday, Aug 7-8, 2026
Downtown/Edison Middle School, Berlin Heights
The Berlin Heights Basket Festival is a family celebration honoring the local tradition of basket making. The festival includes a Queen's, Prince and Princess, and baby contests, kiddie tractor pull, flower show, the Charger Marching Band, Grand Parade, youth and adult contests and activities, open market, food and craft vendors, and Fireworks. They will also have a 5K Race, local organizations' crafts, games, and live entertainment both evenings.
Kelleys Island Homecoming
Saturday-Sunday, Aug 8-9, 2026
Kelleys Island Pavilion, Kelleys Island
Homecoming is an event sponsored by KILA (the Kelleys Island Landowners Association) and serves as a weekend for those who love this island to return and enjoy fun, food, and entertainment. Enjoy the Friday Fish Fry, and Saturday's parade (with Marching Band), amazing entertainment, lovely craft and vendor market, delicious food and beverages, and fun for the whole family!
Benson Ford Shiphouse Tours
Sunday, Aug 9, 2026
Put-in-Bay
Would you like to see the inside of the famous Benson Ford Shiphouse? Now is your chance! Tours are open to the public, with limited tickets available. The Benson Ford is one of the most unique and interesting homes in America, and since it is privately owned, it is rare to get a glimpse inside. Proceeds benefit the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, Alfred Parker Park & other island charities.
2026 Erie County Fair
Monday-Saturday, Aug 10-15, 2026
Erie County Fairgrounds, Sandusky
Admission to the Erie County Fair is FREE every single day! From fair food and shopping vendors to agriculture exhibits, bounce houses, laser tag, animals, and more — there’s something for every age and every interest. Don’t forget the Grandstand events happening throughout the week (a small admission fee applies for Grandstand shows) including rough truck, rodeo, tractor pulls, and demolition derby.
Perseid Meteor Shower
Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026
Castalia Quarry MetroPark, Castalia
The Perseid Meteor Shower is at its peak! Do you need a great place to watch the show? Join and discover the stars through our telescope! Please bring a chair. The trail to the quarry floor will be lit to guide you. Walk ups welcomed, no registration required.
Big Splash Raffle
Friday-Saturday, Aug 14-15, 2026
Sandusky Bay Pavilion, Sandusky
The 22nd Annual Dean Howman Memorial Big Splash Raffle is the Maritime Museum of Sandusky's annual fundraising event. Big Splash raffle tickets are $100. The Maritime Museum of Sandusky raffles off over a quarter of a million dollars in cash prizes, cars, motorcycles, and more. Friday night kicks off the fun with the Bash Before the Splash featuring live music, food, beverages, side raffles, and 50/50 drawings, as well as a band that takes the stage at 6 pm. Saturday is the main event, featuring cash prizes, cars, motorcycles, and more. Food and beverages, huge 50/50s, and side raffles continue all day.
Peaches and Cream
Saturday, Aug 15, 2026
Quarry Hill Orchards, Berlin Heights
It’s high summer and Quarry Hill's peach crop deserves a party! Come hungry & happy – they’re scooping up homemade peach ice cream and their incredible partner vendors will overwhelm you with goodies! Food trucks, locally roasted coffee, painting workshop, flower crowns, live music, crafts, face painting, flowers, flowers, and more flowers; fresh produce and Ohio made goodies – and more. Rejoice in this season’s bounty with Quarry Hill!
Port Clinton Lighthouse & Maritime Festival
Saturday, Aug 15, 2026
Waterworks Park, Port Clinton
Annual family-oriented festival highlighting Port Clinton's rich maritime history and iconic 1896 lighthouse, the last remaining wooden pier light on Lake Erie. This event features free lighthouse tours, nautical-themed vendors, music, food, Plein Air Art Show, Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show, Cardboard Boat Regatta, United Way Rubber Duck Race, activities for the kids, and much more!
Halupki Festival
Sunday, Aug 16, 2026
Holy Assumption Church, Marblehead
Join for a day of fun, food, and polka at the Halupki Festival! Dinners and a la carte of tasty home made halupki, peroghi, halushki and more. Amazing desserts like baklava, nut rolls, poppyseed rolls, nut horns, giant cookies to name a few. Cold beer, polka and craft vendors, plus children's activities. An amazing day for all!
Ned Talks Presents: Ned and Jannah Wilson present Irritatin Invasives
Thursday, Aug 20, 2026
Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center-West, Port Clinton
Ned the Naturalist (Brian Shifflet) and Jannah Wilson, Parks District of Ottawa County, present about invasive plants and what we can do about them!
A moody afternoon of music and art
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026
Charles Herndon Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, Kelleys Island
Come to the Charles Herndon Gardens to experience some moody music! The Moody Blues are the inspiration for this year's music event. Live music, glass blowing, art demonstrations. Magnificent manipulator of cards, Frankie, will be doing illusions. Food and drink available at the event.
Chateau Winery's Wine Run 5k
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026
Chateau Winery & Vineyard, Helena
Do you like walking or running? Do you like wine? Chateau Winery has the 5k race for you! We are partnering J3 Timing for a 5k race around our beautiful vineyard and raising money for a local family with medical needs.
MG INTERNATIONAL 2026 - ALL-MG GATHERING
Sunday-Thursday, Aug 23-27, 2026
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Sandusky
MG INTERNATIONAL 2026 is the every-five-year gathering of the four major MG Car Clubs in North America (MMM, MGT, MGA, MGB) and will be held in the Sandusky area with the host hotel being Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. The event starts on Sunday with Lake Erie cruises on The Goodtime I, tech sessions, beer and wine tasting events, craft sessions, and seminars on a number of topics. The Car Show will be held on Wednesday, August 26 from 9 am-1 pm at Osborn MetroPark, just 10 minutes from Kalahari. MG International is expecting over 500 MGs and other British cars and there is no charge to come and view the cars.
Time Traveler History Talks: Ladies' Aid Society of Northern Ohio
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026
Shores & Islands Welcome Center – East, Sandusky
Continue our America 250 celebrations with local historian and Shores & Islands Ohio team member, Angie George as we learn about the Ladies' Aid Society of Northern Ohio and women's roles on the homefront during the American Civil War. In 1864, the Ladies' Aid Society of Northern Ohio (headquartered out of Cleveland) organized the Cleveland Sanitary Fair to support Union soldiers during the Civil War. With the Army providing only the bare minimum, these women became a lifeline, using creativity, determination, and community spirit to ensure soldiers had the food, clothing, and essentials they needed - and rallied the community in the process.
Kalahari Food & (Not Just) Wine Festival
Saturday, Aug 29, 2026
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Sandusky
Get ready to experience our first-ever Kalahari Food & (Not Just) Wine Festival. Uncover the best of Kalahari dining with an overflowing selection of Kalahari-curated culinary delights, paired with an endless lineup of wines, brews, and spirits from the region's top beverage brands. Mix and mingle with friends and family as you taste, sip, and enjoy! This year's event theme: Stars, Stripes & Spurs. A little country. A whole lotta flavor. Cowboy and cowgirl attire encouraged.
Classic Tractor Cruise-In
Sunday, Aug 30, 2026
Village Square, Milan
Get ready to step back in time at the America 250 - Classic Tractor Cruise-In! Join Edison Birthplace in the heart of the community for an afternoon celebrating incredible vintage tractors, local history, and American heritage. Bring the whole family out to see these beautifully restored pieces of agricultural history up close right in the square. Whether you're a tractor enthusiast or just looking for a fun weekend outing, you won't want to miss it!
Summer may be winding down, but the excitement is just heating up—don't miss your chance to experience these unforgettable August events throughout Shores & Islands Ohio. Mark your calendar—we'll see you out there!
