The Lifesaving Station was open during the fair. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

MARBLEHEAD – Katie Manion, Amanda Little, and Chris Lutz traveled from Pittsburgh to Ottawa County for Munion’s birthday weekend and stopped by Marblehead Lighthouse State Park for the Lake Erie Lighthouse Fair on April 25. It was their first visit to the area, so they took advantage of the chance to climb to the top of the lighthouse tower.

“The view is beautiful. Even though it’s cloudy, we could still see Cedar Point and the islands,” Manion said. “It was easy to climb. It was a nice 77 steps.”

Little, who isn’t fond of heights, didn’t agree with Manion’s assessment that the hike up was easy, but she did agree that the view was great from the top.

“It was harder coming down. Going up, I clung to the railing and stared at the walls,” she said. “But it was really pretty.”

Jesse Hofbauer, 8, of Walbridge, made a lighthouse craft with a real light at the ODNR stand during the Lake Erie Lighthouse Fair at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park on April 25. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Like Manion, Lutz didn’t mind the walk to the top of the light to view Lake Erie from the sky.

“It was definitely worth the steps,” he said.

In addition to taking lighthouse tours, guests could visit the Lifesaving Station and stop by vendor stands set up on the grounds. At an ODNR table, kids could make a lighthouse craft with a real light. Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy President, Jordan Davenport, talked to guests about Ottawa County’s other lighthouse and promoted the Aug. 15 Lighthouse Festival in Port Clinton that will include lighthouse tours, an antique wooden boat show, a plein air art show, and a cardboard regatta.

Visitor enjoy the view from the top of the Marblehead Lighthouse during the Lake Erie Lighthouse Fair on April 25. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Linda Toth and Chris Simko of the Fairport Harbor Historical Society were at the fair to promote the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse, which is about 30 miles east of Cleveland.

“We’re a little bigger than Marblehead, but the population doesn’t swell in summer,” Simko said.

The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse features a museum, and visitors can stop by other nearby attractions.

“There’s the Finnish Heritage Museum nearby and a creamery across from the lighthouse that has wonderful pastries and ice cream,” Toth said. “They have boozy milkshakes. They put alcohol in the milkshakes.”

For more information about the Marblehead Lighthouse, visit www.marbleheadlighthouseohio.org or https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/marblehead-lighthouse-state-park.

The Lake Erie Lighthouse Fair was part of the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday. For information about America-250 events in Ottawa County, visit www.ottawacountyhistory.org and click on the “America Turns 250. Read more” link to access the 2026 program guide.