Civil War reenactors demonstrate the use of period guns at the Wolcott Keeper’s House on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy and Emily Allen stopped by the Marblehead Lighthouse during the Lighthouse Festival to take wedding photos on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

MARBLEHEAD – For many people, the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival is a family tradition. For Jimmy and Emily Allen, it marked a beginning of a new future. The couple, from Florida, traveled to Ohio to get married on Oct. 11, and they stopped by the Marblehead Lighthouse for wedding photos. Emily grew up on Catawba, so the lighthouse was a perfect backdrop for the first day of the rest of their lives.

The Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival drew thousands of people to Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, Lakeside Chautauqua, and the Wolcott Keeper’s House. The park featured tours to the top of the light and a craft sale at adjoining St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church. Lakeside offered a wide range of family-friendly activities, including a pumpkin-decorating contest, arts and crafts vendors, a farmers market and live music.

The Ottawa County Historical Society hosted the annual Fall Festival and Civil War Encampment at the Keeper’s House. The event featured hearth cooking demonstrations, a Civil War weaponry demonstration, period music by the 73rd OVI Civil War Band and more.

Owens Community College culinary student, Brian Goltz, volunteered to tend the fire in the home’s fireplace and help with the cooking, where the group baked apple pies with apples donated by Moore Orchards. Becky Shemanski, who has been leading the hearth cooking demonstrations for many years, called Owens to ask if a student would be willing to help, and Goltz readily volunteered.

“I’ve always loved 1800s cooking. I do it when I’m camping,” he said.

Visitors enjoyed bean soup, cornbread and apple cider while they listened to the band play.

“The event is just a way to get people to come out and see what we’re doing,” said Ottawa County Historical Society President, Jim Sass. “Next year will be exciting because the country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. U.S. Grant will be here. It will be a fun time.”

The 73rd OVI Civil War Band performs at the Wolcott Keeper’s House during the Lighthouse Festival on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)