BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING, MAY 6-15

The Biggest Week in American Birding is a 10-day festival in a wide swath of northwest Ohio’s wetlands, affectionally known by bird watchers as “The Warbler Capital of the World!” It’s the chance for dedicated birders, or just people who like to see bald eagles, owls or pretty songbirds in the wild, to experience some of the best birding North America has to offer.

How big is birding? An estimated 100,000 people, many toting binoculars or cameras, made the trek before Covid-19 caused a hiatus.

The festival is back in 2022, and has something to offer beginner and seasoned birders alike, with bird identification workshops, guided birding trips, birding by canoe, daily walks at the world famous Magee Marsh, American Woodcock field trips, keynote presentations, a Birder’s Marketplace, and evening socials with free food and music.

The festival headquarters is at Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center between Toledo and Port Clinton, with additional vendors and activities at Black Swamp Bird Observatory at Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor.

The long, long list of Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) events for birders this year includes the Birder’s Marketplace, Bird Tattoo Contest, Birder Prom and Bird Trivia Night. The list can be found at: www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com

WALLEYE FESTIVAL, MAY 26-30

Lake Erie is the acknowledged Walleye Capital of the World, and Port Clinton will revel in that title by holding the 41st Annual Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival in picturesque Waterworks Park on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. The spring walleye fishing is always tremendous, luring thousands of avid anglers.

An array of free live concerts, Kids Fishing Derby, Grande Parade, educational programs and activities, Walleye 5K Run & Walk, carnival rides, great food and more than 130 vendors from around the area help make the event one of Ohio’s premier outdoor weekend celebrations.

SOUTH BASS ISLAND KAYAK RENDEZVOUS — JUNE 10-12

The South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous based on Lake Erie is the premier kayaking and camping experience on Lake Erie. Many paddle over from the mainland for a weekend of paddling, camping, socializing and exploring the Lake Erie Islands over a long weekend, or rely on the Miller Ferry if Lake Erie is a bit bumpy.

There are new water trails for kayakers on the Lake Erie Islands, and more water trails around the Port Clinton area on the mainland. Kayak and canoe launch ramps have been developed in recent years by the Ohio Division of Parks and Watercraft. Campsites are plentiful at the state parks in the immediate area all year round.

Be sure to stop at the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center in Port Clinton for a slick, free Lake Erie Islands Water Trails guide, or visit ohiodnr.gov.

Beginning paddlers will find calm waters around the islands, such as Put-in-Bay Harbor, or on the Mainland Water Trails. Intermediate or experienced paddlers will enjoy exploring the islands, as long as they keep an eye on the wind, weather and boat traffic.

To sign up for the South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous visit: www.sbikayakrendezvous.com

PYRATE FESTIVAL, JUNE 24-27

Put-In-Bay’s annual Pyrate Fest welcomes the return of the Pyrate King to find his stolen treasure, and it’s always a sight to see.. It’s a fun time in downtown Put-in-Bay for the whole family, with costume contests for kids and adults and cardboard boat races.

Watch Pyrates invade the Put-In-Bay Harbor, beat a path around town in a 5K run, visit a Pirate Village and Faire Winds Circus, as well as historic displays and swashbuckling re-enactors.

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS, JULY 4

Fireworks shows will be held all around the Ottawa County area as soon as the sun goes down on the Fourth of July. Whether you watch from a boat anchored on Lake Erie, or from a shoreline seat at Lakeside-Marblehead, Port Clinton or Oak Harbor, there will be plenty of “ooohs” and “aaahs” to be had. The Put-In-Bay Harbor and C edam Point Amusement Park fireworks displays will dazzle island visitors.

NATIONAL RIFLE AND PISTOL MATCHES, JULY 11-AUG. 13

Since 1907, Camp Perry has hosted the National Rifle and Pistol Matches, a national shooting sports festival for pistol, small bore rifle and high-powered rifle shooters. More than 4,500 shooters from across the country and around the world will compete in the Civilian Marksmanship Program events.

Shooters range from beginners to top international competitors, and spectators are more than welcome to watch the action on the spacious ranges at the Ohio National Guard facility on the Lake Erie shoreline, just west of Port Clinton.

The pistol competition will kick off the National Matches, followed by the smallbore rifle events and the high-powered rifle action.

MIDDLE BASS ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL — JULY 16

The free Middle Bass Island Music Festival at Lonz Winery is hosted by Middle Bass Island State Park. The music fest event and art demonstrations are free and open to everyone, however art demonstration participants may be a charged a fee for art materials.

To get to Middle Bass Island take the Miller Ferry from its Catawba Island dock to Middle Bass Island, or the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay and the Sonny S shuttle to Middle Bass Island.

The festival is from noon-7 p.m., so if you’re staying for the whole concert, take the Jet Express, which has later hours of return to the mainland.

KELLEYS ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL, JULY 22-24

The Kelleys Island Film Festival hosted by the Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce is a weekend-long event that features an exciting lineup of six movies for the entire family. Movies are held both indoor and outdoor, drive-in style. Refreshments are available. Take the Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead and take time to enjoy a stroll through the downtown area or a golf cart or bicycle ride around the island.

Not only is the inflatable screen and sound system impressive, snacks and drinks will be for sale during all showtimes. It features a great selection of box office favorites.

PORT CLINTON LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL, OCT. 9

The Port Clinton Lighthouse Festival will feature lighthouse tours, entertainment, arts, kites, silent auction, items for sale, food, and the unique history of the Port Clinton Lighthouse. It is located in Waterworks Park in downtown Port Clinton.

An exceptional sculpture, “The Lightkeeper” by Port Clinton’s Andy Sacksteder, an artist in resident at The Art Garage in Port Clinton, enhances the attractive Port Clinton Lighthouse. The sculpture portrays a lighthouse keeper leaving his post at the lighthouse after a long night’s vigil, his trusty dog in tow.

Waterworks Park has a sandy Lake Erie swimming beach, a fishing pond, baseball fields and a new walkway being constructed along the Portage River in downtown Port Clinton.

HALUPKI FESTIVAL, AUG. 19

A celebration of foods and culture, the Halupki Festival is hosted annually by the oldest Orthodox church in Ohio, Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, 114 E. Main Street in downtown Marblehead. The Old World food fest features such treats as cabbage rolls, pierogis, kolbasi, baked goods, Herman Halupki’s craft show, historic church tours, and live polka bands.

BASH ON THE BAY — AUG. 24-25

Continuing the success of the Bash on the Bay, promoter Tim Niese will bring another two-day concert to the Put-in-Bay Airport on South Bass Island. To double the fun, Niese has booked two country music superstars — Brad Paisley and the Zac Brown Band — and a host of other talented musicians.

Paisley will be the headliner on Wednesday night, while Zac Brown Band, a southern rock group, will close out the festival in style on Thursday.

PERCH, PEACH, PIEROGI & POLKA FESTIVAL, AUG. 31-SEPT. 2

The Port Clinton Chapter of the Knights of Columbus in downtown Port Clinton will have all of the town’s favorite food groups in plentiful supply for the annual Labor Day weekend extravaganza, the Perch, Peach, Pierogi & Polka Festival. Enjoy Lake Erie perch sandwiches or dinners, pierogis, polish sausage, and delicious peach cobbler topped with Toft’s ice cream at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Live award-winning polka bands will be under the big tent, along with a large dance floor and lots of tables and chairs for weary dancers and hungry partiers.

What could be better than music, food, dance and fun?

PUT-IN-BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 17

The Put-In-Bay Music Festival brings Bluegrass, New Grass, Zydeco, Folk and Rhythm & Blues to South Bass Island for a free concert to kick off the fall season. The first act goes on stage at 11 a.m. and the final act won’t wrap up the all-day fun until 11 p.m.

Bring folding chairs or blankets, and kick back and enjoy the eclectic mix of music in the shadow of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, which commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that took place near Ohio’s South Bass Island. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led his fleet to victory in one of the most decisive naval battles to occur in the War of 1812

VINTAGE SPORTS CAR RACING, SEPT. 19-23

The sounds of open exhausts of MGs, Triumphs and many other unique sports cars of the past will be heard and seen at Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island, and racing at the Put-In-Bay Airport. The 2022 Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races & Reunion will provide two full days of racing at the Put-In-Bay Airport, as well as a full day of pre-racing events.

The Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races and Reunion also welcomes owner-drivers of non-racing, vintage sports cars of types similar to the race cars. These “street cars” participate in all the various events and activities, except for the actual races.

The Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion celebrates sports car races that were held on the streets of Put-in-Bay from 1952 to 1959 and in 1963. The three-day reunion engages racers and non-racers alike in an event that reaches back in time to capture the history and re-create the atmosphere of sports car racing of that era in a uniquely beautiful setting.

OAK HARBOR APPLE FESTIVAL, OCT. 8-9

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 42nd edition of its family-oriented Apple Festival with over 25,000 visitors attending annually. It is held in downtown Oak Harbor with all activities located within a one block walking area.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Grand Parade, the kiddie tractor pulling contest, bingo at the fire station, and the talent show to round out the day’s entertainment.

Saturday night be sure to come out to “Applepalooza,” which will feature live bands and a beer tent. Sunday is chock full of fun as well, featuring the Classic Car Show, 5K Apple Run, 1 Mile Kid’s Run, local performers and over 130 vendors. There are no admission fees and a shuttle runs from the high school parking lot for $1 each.

LAKESIDE-MARBLEHEAD LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL, OCT. 8

This peninsula-wide Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival this year will focus on the 200th anniversary of the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse and fully-restored Keeper’s House just down the road. The festivities include a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy.

There are tours from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. of the Marblehead Lighthouse and Keeper’s House, live entertainment, pie contest/auction, arts and crafts vendors, farmer’s market, historic walking tours, children’s crafts, hayrides, free miniature golf and shuffleboard, a family movie, and shopping/dining opportunities.

The Lakeside Chautauqua resort community shares the fall holiday with the Village of Marblehead, and on the Marblehead Peninsula all of the unique retail shops, stores, restaurants and taverns will be open.

Lakeside will have lots of games and attractions for the kids, as well, and make sure to bring the cameras.

Ohio tourism officials report the Marblehead Lighthouse is the most-photographed tourism attraction in the Buckeye State.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WALLEYE DROP, DEC. 31

Wylie Walleye made a live, three-story “plunge” into downtown Port Clinton last New Year’s Eve, and the high-tech version of the fish that has been lowered to a waiting New Year’s Eve audience in Port Clinton was again beamed around the world to revelers.

Wylie Walleye has become a national celebrity over the years, and is the major reason for the biggest Port Clinton party of the year. The small Lake Erie town has outdone itself in recent years, giving a lot of businesses a boost with its 4th annual “Swim Tour,” four luxury busses that ferry fun-loving celebrants to a wide range of bars and taverns in the area.

The shuttle is free, its bathrooms are warm and its Wifi keeps everyone in touch.

After Wyle Walleye’s airborne adventure, stick around. The downtown Port Clinton fireworks show after midnight is a delight.