In the Southwest corner of the Lake Erie Basin, there is a little island called South Bass Island. This island is home to the famous, some may say infamous, summer boating town of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. Visitors come from near and far to enjoy the summer activities both on and off the water from April 1st through October 31st. (The island is usually ice-locked with no ferry service the rest of the year.) With Put-in-Bay events happening almost every week and weekend, we have compiled the Top 6 Summer Events at Put-in-Bay.
– Putinbay.com’s 17th Annual Put-in-Bay Spring Fling Customer Appreciation Weekend! (May 6-7, 2016)
Held on the first weekend of May every year, the Spring Fling is the official kick off to the summer tourist season at Put-in-Bay. This event has grown in size each year for almost two decades as more and more people hear about it. The party is hosted at the Island Club Rentals’ subdivision and is exclusively for guests of the Island Club, Victory Station Hotel, Put-in-Bay Condos, Commodore Resort, and special partners only. You must be a registered guest at one of these establishments to attend. (No exceptions will be made for liability purposes.) What is the Spring Fling? It is a big block party that usually attracts over 1,700 people for 2 days of free adult beverages, a Saturday full of free BBQ food, and some awesome live entertainment to start the season off right! As a bonus for those who will be heading downtown after the party each night, many island businesses offer great discounts on food and merchandise for party attendees who show their wristbands! The special guest band for this year’s Spring Fling is — The Junk! For hotel reservations, please call 419-285-3101. For home rentals, please call 216-898-9951.
– 8th Annual Pyrate Fest Weekend at the Bay (June 17-21, 2016)
Pyrates invade Put-in-Bay’s downtown harbor for the 8th year in a row on Friday at 4:00 PM to open the 2016 Put-in-Bay Pirate Fest. Saturday is a fun-packed day for the kids and adults alike with a Pirate Parade wandering around the park downtown and a Costume Contest for both kids and adults. The best adult costume wins a trip to the Cayman Islands! There is a Pyrate marketplace and displays, a Put in Bay kid’s fun fest and black powder firing demonstrations every day during the event. Tuesday evening wraps up the event with the infamous Cardboard Boat Races at 6:00 PM in the downtown Putinbay harbor. Discover many fun pirate events such as reenactors demonstrating sword fighting techniques and the art of skullduggary. Kids can practice with foam swords too!
– Christmas in July at Put-in-Bay (July 22-24, 2016)
There’s no snow, but plenty of sun! This is by far the biggest and best weekend at Put-in-Bay all summer long! Put-in-Bay has even been voted “Best Place for Christmas in July”! The Christmas spirit floods the community and everywhere you look there is an elf or Santa peeking out of a doorway. Island businesses go all out and decorate just like it was the real Christmas. Garland, lights, bells, and Santa hats abound. Holiday drinks are on the menu at most of the local watering holes and island hotels and rental homes are filled to capacity. On Saturday Night, there is a traditional parade of Christmas floats that meanders through the downtown area and on Sunday the Christmas themed car parade excites and delights island visitors young and old. This is by far the busiest weekend of the season so plan ahead accordingly! Hotels and rental homes sell out months in advance and it is not uncommon for the best hotels and homes to be sold out by February!!! For hotel reservations, please call 419-285-3101. For home rentals, please call 216-898-9951.
– Put-in-Bay Historical Weekend (September 9-11, 2016)
Put-in-Bay celebrates the 202nd anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie on this most historical of weekends. This is a celebration of history, art and music and also a celebration of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s naval victory over the British. Since then, there have been two centuries of peace shared by the United States, Canada and Great Britain. A War of 1812 military encampment can be found on the lawn of the Monument Visitors Center all weekend and over 1,000 Boy Scouts camp out in tents on the Memorial’s east lawn for their annual camporee on Lake Erie (the ONLY Boy Scout Jamboree allowed on Federal property in the USA!). Saturday is the annual “Art in the Park” in downtown DeRivera Park. Area and regional arts and craftspeople display and sell their original works in photography, watercolor, acrylic, pottery, silversmithing, glass, stained glass, fabric, wood and paper downtown in an open-air exhibit. Live demonstrations and a silent auction that benefits the Put-in-Bay Arts Council are key activities and enjoyed by the families that attend. This event runs from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM in DeRivera Park. On Sunday, local and regional dignitaries join approximately 1,200 Boy Scouts, antique and classic cars, regional high school marching bands, the captain of the USS Lake Erie, area veterans and 1812 re-enactors for the annual Grand Parade at noon. Following the Grand Parade, there is the annual Muffins vs. Mossbacks Historical Baseball Game. This annual match is played at the softball field on Concord Avenue next to the school and church. The Ohio Historical Society Muffins challenge the Put-in-Bay Mossbacks using the original rules of baseball. This family friendly game begins at 2:00 PM. Refreshments are available with all proceeds benefitting the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum. The event sponsor is the Miller Boat Line.
– Putinbay.com’s 18th Annual Put-in-Bay Fall Ball Customer Appreciation Weekend! (August 30-September 1, 2016)
The unofficial end of Put in Bay summer fun is the annual Put-in-Bay Fall Ball. This event was the original street party which spawned the Spring Fling. It has grown in size each year for almost two decades as more and more people hear about it. The party is hosted at the Island Club Rentals subdivision and is exclusively for guests of the Island Club, Commodore Resort, and Put-in-Bay Condos only. You must be a registered guest at one of these establishments, with a wristband, to attend. Between the Party, the Wine Fest, and the football games it is an exciting weekend! What is the Fall Ball? It is a big block party that usually attracts over 1,700 people for 2 days of free adult beverages, and a Saturday full of free food and awesome live entertainment to end the season with memories! As a bonus for those who will be heading downtown, many island businesses offer great discounts on food and merchandise for party attendees who show their wristbands! Stay tuned for the special guest band. For hotel reservations, please call 419-285-3101. For home rentals, please call 216-898-9951.
– Halloween Boo Bash at the Bay (October 21-22, 2016)
What do you get when you mix over 2,000 people in costume, frosty cold adult beverages, and great live entertainment? You get Ohio’s largest island Halloween Party and a great time at Put in Bay! Costume Contests with numerous prizes cash prizes take place at Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille! Downtown bars and taverns decorate with a haunting theme! This is the island’s last big weekend of the year and doors close all over town on Sunday at 11:00 AM sharp, so don’t miss out on your last chance to party at Put-in-Bay for 2016!
There are many more events happening at Put in Bay in 2016 and you can find a full list at the island’s main source for information… https://putinbay.com