ISLAND GREEN WEEK

August 4-11, 2018

Here is your complete guide to the many fun and environmentally friendly things to do this week!

Middle Bass Island Poker Kayak Day

Saturday August 4 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Middle Bass Island; cost is $20. Kayakers start and finish at the Middle Bass Island State Park west beach. The paddle around the island includes three additional stops (the State Park Marina, the MBI East Point Preserve, and the Kuehnle State Wildlife Area/Petersen Woods Preserve). A welcome packet at the start has a description of the course and information about the stops. Stops are staffed with volunteers for safety and to distribute poker cards and snacks. The finish has a cook-out with hot-dogs, chips, and bottle of water while 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are determined. Proceeds from the event will benefit signage for the Put-in-Bay Township Park District’s newest preserves on Middle Bass Island. (Rain Date August 5) The Registration is available at: https://www.putinbayparks.com. Deadline to register is August 1, 2018.

Historic Lonz Winery Tours, Middle Bass Island

Saturday August 4, Sunday August 5, and Saturday August 11 from 11am to 5pm on Middle Bass Island; cost – FREE. Participants will get a guided tour of the iconic Lonz Winery. On Saturday August 4, 5:30pm to 7:30pm ONLY, the tour will be followed by a bonfire at the Middle Bass Island State Park. The Sonny-S Boat Line Inc. is available from the Boardwalk at Put-in-Bay to the main dock on Middle Bass. Sonny S. The Sonny S Ferry Prices are; One-way fares, CASH ONLY. Adults (13+)- $6.00, Children (6-12) $3.00, Children (under 6) Free.

Historic Aquatic Visitor Center Tours with Wild Saturday Out-reach Program at Put-in-Bay

August 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 from 10am to 5pm; cost – FREE. Visitors can stop by the Aquatic Visitors Center, about one mile west of downtown Put-in-Bay, to experience Lake Erie science up close. Activities include inspecting Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through hands-on displays, observing and identifying live fish in ten large aquariums, and discovering current research to protect Lake Erie. Children under age 16 can fish from the fishing pier for free. The facility is run by Ohio Sea Grant and OSU’s Stone Laboratory. Saturdays (August 4 and 11) will also include special interpretive programs from 1 pm to 3 pm

Middle Bass Forested Wetland Dedication

Sunday August 5 at 1pm; cost – FREE. The Put-in-Bay Township Park District will dedicate a new trail and preserve. Participants will meet at the sign on Fox Rd. at the Preserve. A cake reception will follow at the Middle Bass Island State Park Pavilion. The Sonny-S Boat Line is available for transportation from the Boardwalk at Put-in-Bay to the main dock on Middle Bass. The Sonny S Ferry Prices are; One-way fares, CASH ONLY. Adults (13+)- $6.00, Children (6-12) $3.00, Children (under 6) Free.

Eco-Tour & Fair, Put-in-Bay

Monday August 6 and Tuesday August 7 from 9am to 5pm; cost- $20.00 adult, under 18 FREE, on South Bass Island. Participants may stop in at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall any time during these days to pick up their tour packets that will include maps, tour booklets, several goodies, freebies, and coupons from island businesses. Several island businesses and artisans will be selling their wares at the Town Hall. This unique ramble and island tour will include over 32 fun nature and history related stops. Among the highlights planned will be: hiking Coopers Woods, seeing a natural cave, touring island vineyards and docent tours of island churches and other historic buildings. Discounts at several restaurants, reduced entrance fees at attractions, and coupons for gift shops will be given to Island Ramblers. Proceeds will benefit the Put-in-Bay Township Park District and will be used to maintain and preserve island parks.

Stargazing Cruise 2018

Miller Boat Line Stargazing Cruise, Put-in-Bay

Monday August 6 at 8pm; cost – Adults- $20, Kids – $10. The ferry cruise will leave from the downtown Miller Boat Line dock on Put-in-Bay at sunset. The stars will light up the sky as Cleveland State University instructor and astronomer, Jay Reynolds, will engage with the guests sharing information about the night sky, planets, and stars. Passengers will have an amazing opportunity to enjoy the show from outer space as the ferry boat travels around the Lake Erie Islands. Heineman Winery is donating wine. Delicious hors d’oeuvres will be donated by Frosty Bar, The Put-in-Bay Gazette, and Cameo Pizza. Bring your own chair. Proceeds will benefit the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center’s Building Addition.

Wild Tuesdays- “Slitherin’ Snakes”, Put-in-Bay

Tuesday August 7 from 1pm to 3pm at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center; cost –FREE. The purpose of our Wild Tuesdays programs is to educate visitors and local residents about Ohio’s native wildlife by providing up-close and hands-on interactive experiences. This week’s topic, Snakes, will be presented by Dr. Kristin Stanford from OSU’s Stone Laboratory, who was featured on “Dirty Jobs”. Kristin will be here with the Lake Erie Watersnake and other native snakes to teach about the importance of snakes on the islands. This is a really “wild” family event.

Bonfire and Lantern Tour of Historic Hotel Victory Grounds, Put-in-Bay

Tuesday August 7 from 7:30pm to 10pm; cost – FREE. South Bass Island State Park will host a campfire and a Lantern Tour of the famous Hotel Victory grounds. This family event will start with a beautiful sunset at South Bass Island State Park. A bonfire will be lit in the wooded group camping area near the glacial grooves, available throughout the evening for those who do not want to tour around the park. The tour will highlight various still-existing features of the Hotel Victory, with information shared by a local historian.

Historic Gibraltar Island Tour- In the Harbor of Put-in-Bay

Wednesday August 8 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm OR 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; special cost – $5.00. Tours are limited to the first 70 participants on a first come first served basis. Tour discount for Eco-Ramble participants ONLY (must show wrist band). The two hour-long island tour will include a glimpse of the history and natural history of this island, including the historic Stone Laboratory and Cooke’s Castle. The Water Taxi to Gibraltar will leave from the Boardwalk ($3 Round Trip price – for this event only). Participants should plan to get there 15 minutes prior to tour time. Parking will be available at the Town Hall or on the Street, not at the Boardwalk.

Pig Roast 2018

The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center’s- Annual Pig Roast & Raffle, Put-in-Bay

Wednesday August 8 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Goat Restaurant at Put-in-Bay; cost – $15.00 (Advance dinner tickets will be sold at the Wildlife Center starting July 1). $20.00 (day of). Participants will be treated to a slow spit-roasted hog with corn and baked potatoes along with tasty sides donated by Island restaurants. Popular island entertainers Drew LaPlante and Jamison Smith will feature performances of favorite songs. There will be a silent auction with a variety of unique island prizes such as: a trip for two to Rattlesnake Island, Ferry Passes, a biplane ride, a five-course dinner for eight at a local restaurant, and hand-crafted art work.
Raffle tickets will be available at the Goat Restaurant on the day of the event. The proceeds from this event will go toward the Building Addition Fund for more space at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center to continue to carry out our mission educating youths and adults about the unique ecology of the islands

Lake Erie Islands Historic Society Auction, Put-in-Bay

Thursday August 9: viewing time 3:00pm to 5:00pm; live auction at 5:00pm at Heineman Winery on Put-in-Bay. The annual auction of the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society will feature a very impressive selection of items donated by Put-in-Bay residents and businesses, many of which focus on Put-in-Bay History. Cash Bar.

Nature & Art at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, Put-in-Bay

Friday August 10 from 1:00pm-2:30pm or 2:30pm-4:00pm, at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center; cost – $10.00. Come to our back porch for an afternoon of “Plein Air” Artwork. We will supply the materials and Mother Nature will supply the subject matter. Island artist, Celeste Mycoskie will guide you in your efforts to capture your subject on paper.

Night Hike, Put-in-Bay

Friday August 10 at dusk (approx. 8:00pm); cost – FREE. Participants will meet at the Massie Cliffside Preserve parking lot at 611 State Route 357 on South Bass Island for a night hike. We will be listening for owl calls, looking for spider eyes, and watching for other night flying critters including bats. Please bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes.

Historic South Bass Island Lighthouse Tours, Put-in-Bay

Saturday August 11 from 11am to 5pm at the South Bass Island Light on Put-in-Bay; cost – Free. Guests will be able to tour the South Bass Island Lighthouse and learn about its history; climb its stairs up 60 feet to take in the stunning views of Put-in-Bay and Lake Erie from the top of the tower; and to walk the historic grounds that include a butterfly garden certified by Monarch Watch. The Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kelleys Island Glacial Groove Tour and Geology Hike, Kelleys Island

Saturday August 11 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm; cost – FREE. Join the staff of Kelleys Island State Park for an opportunity to visit and view up close the largest glacial grooves in North America. Park staff will discuss the different theories of how these grooves were created and the history of the surrounding stone quarries. The tour will also include a visit to one of Kelleys Island’s abandoned quarries to discuss fossils and the habitat created by this aging quarry. Participants will have the option to ride the Jet Express to Kelleys Island from Put-in-Bay. Discounts to be announced, call 419.285.3037 for more information.

The following businesses have generously donated discounts, please support them during your visit to Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass Island, Gibraltar Island, and Kelleys Island.
Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands- http://www.shoresandislands.com
Park Hotel- https://www.parkhotelpib.com
Miller Boat Line- https://www.millerferry.com
Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce- http://www.visitputinbay.com
The Boardwalk- http://the-boardwalk.com
Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory- https://stonelab.osu.edu
Island Bike Rental- http://www.ibrcarts.com/public/bike_cart_rental
Put-in-Bay Gazette- pibgazette@frontier.com
Put-in-Bay Historical Society- http://www.leihs.org
Jet Express- https://jet-express.com
E’s Golf Cart- https://www.esputinbaygolfcarts.com
Ohio State Parks- http://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Frosty Bar- http://frostys.com
Cameo Pizza- http://putinbaycameopizza.com

Transportation Discounts
E’s Golf Cart Rental- $10 off day rental, August 4-11. For discount mention Island Green Week.
Miller Boat Line, – Discount to participants for passengers for Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Islands.
Island Bike Rental- $20 off day golf cart rental at the Jet Express and Lime Kiln Dock, Put-in-Bay on Monday August 6 to Friday August 10. Mention Island Green Week.

Island Lodging Partner Discount
Park Hotel, https://www.parkhotelpib.com – August 5-9 Sunday through Thursday ONLY. Buy 2 weekday nights get 1 night FREE. THIS DISCOUNT CAN ONLY BE RESERVED BY PHONE 419.285.3581. Mention Island Green Week.

Download a pdf of the Island Green Week events here.

Read or download our Island Green Week Special Edition Newsletter here.

See you August 4th through the 11th!