There is always something exciting at Put-In-Bay during the summer. Here is a list of some fun family-friendly activities that are coming up to start the season. Plan your island getaway today, bring the kids, and have a great relaxed week on the Bay!
What: Island Wide Garage Sale
When: May 15 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 148 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: Islanders and island business owners are cleaning out what they no longer need and offering to shoppers for a bargain. This annual island wide garage sale has become an exciting attraction! To have your address on the free map, contact the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce at 419-285-2832. The map will be sent to print and available on Friday afternoon at the following locations: The Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Depot, Miller Boat Line and the Jet Express, and several island restaurants that serve breakfast. We don’t set the hours for the garage sale, but look for most sellers to start around 10 AM and wrap up by 5 PM or earlier.
What: Victoria Day Weekend
When: May 14-15 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, 43456
Info: Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, commemorating two centuries of peace between the United States, Canada and Great Britain, opens for the season today. The memorial and the visitor center are open 10 am to 6 pm daily through October. Downtown Retail Merchants and island home owners join together for one big Island Wide Garage Sale on Saturday. Map with locations for garage sales will be distributed the day of the event. Don’t miss the big bargains at the Heritage Resale Shop at the Historical Museum.
What: PIB Garden Club Lamppost Flower Planting
When: May 24 @ 9:00 am – May 25 @ 9:00 am
Where: DeRivera Park, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: The Put-in-Bay Garden Club needs your help for the annual planting and hanging of the Lamppost Flower baskets. The garden club will be doing this both May 24th and 25th starting at 9am. They will meet in DeRivera Park across from the Round House.
What: Memorial Day Weekend
When: May 28 @ 8:00 am – May 31 @ 5:00 pm
Where: 148 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial will salute American veterans during the annual “Salute to the Troops” on the memorial grounds on Monday. On Sunday and Memorial Day the antique cars will parade through downtown Put-in-Bay, around DeRivera Park at 2:15 pm.
What: Annual Pooch Parade
When: June 12 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Where: DeRivera Park, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: The Annual Island Pooch Parade will be held Saturday in DeRivera Park. Dogs of all kinds and sizes are encouraged to bring their owners and participate. Registration for this amusing fun event will open in the Park Gazebo at 10 AM., followed by the children led traditional doggie stroll around the Park at 10:30. Judging will immediately follow the parade. The $10 entry fee makes your closest friend eligible to receive a “doggie goodie bag” plus becoming qualified to compete for prizes in one or more of the following groups. The Judges will look for the best pet in these categories: smallest, largest, most talented, individual best dressed, group best dressed, dog that looks most like its owner. Diane Nemec and Noreen Hahn are once again Co-chairpersons They’ll organize the event with the help of doggone good Lenny Brodnik as “emcee”. Lenny does a great job keeping the audience entertained while the judges ponder the pooches. A number of volunteers will assist the chairpersons to assure a smooth, fast paced affair with no “paws”. This is always an enjoyable and entertaining event for the whole island and particularly the children. Put it on your calendar and we’ll see you June 11th. Bring your dog and win a prize. Registration 10 a.m. in the Gazebo, DeRivera Park. Great fun for all the family, especially kids. Cats are NOT invited.
What: The Best Season of the Amazing Island Raise
When: June 11 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 148 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: The Amazing Island Raise is much like the TV show “The Amazing Race”. Teams of 4-6 people solve clues to find their locations and complete challenges to get their next clue. Prizes are awarded at the finale. Proceeds will benefit Joyful Connections + Ottawa County CASA. Two Local agencies helping children + families in crisis situations. For more information call 567-262-3181. $40 per person includes round trip ferry ticket and food at the final. Registration forms available at www.joyfulconnections.com
What: Founder’s Day
When: June 12 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: DeRivera Park, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: A community celebration, the anniversary of the founding of Put-in-Bay by Hispanic merchant Jose DeRivera St. Jurgo is June 12th . Sandwiches, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, festival vendors, great bargains, live music and lots of fun in the tent and outside in DeRivera Park downtown, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year join the American Red Cross is bringing the ERV to promote their smoke detector safety project, Liberty Air Museums “Lake Erie War Birds” trailer (Ford Tri-motor Heritage) and a WWII jeep. Put-in-Bay’s EMTs, and hand out safety information. A variety of kids games with prizes for everyone. Put-in-Bay’s Volunteer Fire Department sells brats and hot dogs, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sells strawberry shortcake. Find a bargain at the sale tables, pick up a vintage Put-in-Bay souvenir, handcrafted items, tee-shirts, jewelry and more. Pick up information on activities sponsored by local organizations, including the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, Lake Erie Nature and Wildlife Center, the Perry Group (Friends of Perry’s Victory), the Put-in-Bay Swim and Sail, and the Put-in-Bay Garden Club.
What: Put-in-Bay Maritime Celebration with U.S. Brig Niagara
When: June 19 – June 21
Where: 148 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: See what makes Put-in-Bay such a fun port of call for the entire family as we welcome the US Brig Niagara for the 2nd Annual Put-in-Bay Maritime Celebration. The Niagara’s visit is sponsored by the Put-in-Bay Jet Express, Lake Erie Shores & Islands and the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce. This year the Put-in-Bay Maritime Celebration will be held June 17-20 and will encompass the visit of the US Brig Niagara as well as Put-in-Bay’s Pyrate Fest VIII, and educational and public service programs. The Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Maritime event in partnership with the Perry Group, the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum, and Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. The Niagara is scheduled to arrive on Friday, June 17, weather permitting, and will offer dockside tours on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at Fox’s Dock where Niagara is berthed. Tickets are available for a Day Sail aboard Niagara, from 1 to 5pm on Monday, June 20. To buy tickets go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2506228. Tickets are $100 per person. This is a hands on sail experience for ages 12 yrs and up.
What: Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest
When: June 25 @ 11:00 am – June 27 @ 5:00 pm
Where: Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Info: Put-in-Bay’s 8th annual Pyrate Fest sees the return of the Pyrate King for 4 days to find his stolen treasure. Friday of Pyrate Fest opens with “Booms over the Bay.” Saturday fun activities for the entire family, including Kids Costume Contest, and an Adult Costume Contest with the winner headed to the Cayman Islands. The annual Pyrate Run benefitting Stein Hospice kicks off Sunday’s activities at 9:30 am. The remainder of Sunday is the annual Kids Fest. Monday, four-person teams representing island businesses paddle their vessels around the downtown harbor in the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Saturday and Sunday, the Pyrate Village with Pyrate Marketplace, Faire Wynds Circus, historic displays on cooking, medicine, weapons, and navigation will be open 11 am to 5 pm. More than 50 re-enactors in pyrate gear will be downtown for photo ops, discussing tactics, and helping you choose a “pyrate name”. Also black powder demonstrations by National Park Rangers dressed as 1812 period soldiers, and cannon firings by Cannon Master Bob Gilmor in DeRivera Park. Dress as a pyrate and join the fun. Anyone sailing over aboard one of the Miller Boat Line ferries will receive a $1 discount on their round-trip fare if they dress like a pyrate, or talk like a pyrate when asking for their tickets at the ticket booth. Find us on facebook.com/PyrateFest