Festival on Saturday celebrates iconic Marblehead Lighthouse
LAKESIDE MARBLEHEAD – Looking for something this weekend to get you into the spirit of the fall season along the picture-perfect coast of Lake Erie?
The 27th Annual Lakeside Marblehead Lighthouse Festival takes place within the village of Marblehead and the gates of picturesque Lakeside Chautauqua from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Lakeside Chautauqua and the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce organize the annual event, which has grown to feature lighthouse tours, live entertainment, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors and much more around the Marblehead peninsula.
The Chamber’s Executive Director Teri Cassell said they are a little concerned with this weekend’s weather forecast and are hoping rain showers pass over them for the event attended by hundreds of people annually.
Festival includes youth activities, large craft show
While Lakeside organizes the events within its gates, such as entertainment and activities for children including pickleball, yoga and art classes, the chamber organizes the craft show, which Cassell said is perfect for those looking for lake-themed treasures.
“We have over 100 craft vendors, including very talented vendors from out of state,” Cassell said Wednesday. The Craft Show will take place in Wesley Lodge, Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge and South Auditorium, both inside and outside.
As an added bonus, there is no entrance fee or parking fee to enter Lakeside for the day, she said.
“It’s a bonus for those who want to visit but can’t during the summer season when there’s a gate fee,” Cassell said, speaking of the Chautauqua’s season of programming between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
For Lakeside activities, park in the South Gate Parking Lot off Ohio 163, near the Lakeside Schoolhouse along Seventh Street, the Bradley Temple parking lot on Cedar Avenue, and along streets that do not have designated parking.
Golf cart shuttles will be available near Lakeside Welcome Center
Complimentary golf cart shuttles are available from the South Gate Parking Lot near the Welcome Center and throughout the Lakeside grounds.
Attendees are also encouraged to take the short drive down State Route 163 into Marblehead for tours of the 201-year old Marblehead Lighthouse and the nearby Wolcott Keepers House. Cost is $3 per person to go up into the lighthouse.
For a full list of activities, visit lakesideohio.com/lighthouse.
Activities in Lakeside
Pickleball and Tennis8 a.m. to dusk — Hubbard Pickleball Center and Williams Tennis Campus, Free. Weather permitting, pickleball and tennis are open for play. Bring your own equipment.
Arts and Crafts Vendors9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Wesley Lodge, Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge and South Auditorium, free entry. More than 100 arts & crafts vendors display in both indoor and outdoor marketplaces.
Farmers’ Market9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Lakeside Schoolhouse (near Seventh Street and Walnut Avenue), free entry. Local farmers sell fresh produce, honey, flowers, seasonal fruit, jams and homemade baked goods.
Art Classes9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Fountain Inn Aigler Room — Class fees vary —| Advance registration required at lakesideohio.com/registration. From harvest-themed crafts to ceramics and watercolor classes, Lakeside has many ways to get creative. Prices vary.
Family Yoga10 to 10:45 a.m. — Hotel Lakeside Lawn, free. Bring a sibling, parent or friend to join in interactive yoga poses and movements. Mats provided. Rain location: Pavilion Upper Room.
Archives and Heritage Hall Museum Open
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Archives, 210 Walnut Ave., free. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. , Heritage Hall Museum, 238 Maple Ave, free. The unique history of the Marblehead Peninsula is exhibited in the museum. Displays include photographs, memorabilia and antiques with scavenger hunts for kids.
Hayrides10 a.m. to — 4 p.m., Departs from Hotel Lakeside. Cost is $2 a person. Hayrides throughout Lakeside will be provided by the Bergman family of Bergman Orchards.
RW Magic Show11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. ― Third Street tent in front of Hoover Auditorium. Free. Richard W. McClendon performs strolling close-up magic.
Wooden Boat Rides on Amazing Grace11 a.m.-4 p.m. —| Lakeside Dock, $25 per adult and $15 per youth (ages 4 to 12). Fifty-minute wooden boat rides begin at 11 a.m. with the last ride departing at 3 p.m., weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, rides will be canceled.
Children’s Arts and Crafts, ages 3 to 10Noon to 2 p.m. — Hoover Auditorium West Lawn along Walnut Avenue. Cost is $5 per person. Children can create three different arts and crafts projects for a $5 fee per person. Rain location: Hoover Auditorium. We also welcome all to create art using sidewalk chalk.
Pumpkin-Decorating Contest Awards1 to 1:30 p.m. |— Outside Hoover Auditorium/Third Street Tent . Free. To participate, enter an already carved, painted or decorated pumpkin between 9:30 to 11 a.m. Awards include to Best Child Design, Best Youth Design, Best Teen Design, Best Painted Design, Best Lakeside-Inspired Design, Best Design Using Pumpkin/Natural Materials, Best Use of Props and the Most Creative Design Overall. Rain location: Hoover Auditorium.
Live Music: Lance Horwedel1:30 to 3 p.m.—Third Street tent in front of Hoover Auditorium. Free. Lance Horwedel plays acoustic rock from the 1960s through today. Rain location: Hoover Auditorium.
Activities in Marblehead
Marblehead Lighthouse Tours9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Marblehead Lighthouse State Pa, 10 Lighthouse Drive. Cost $3 per person. The onsite Keeper’s House, Lifesaving Station, Gift Shop and Marblehead Lighthouse will be open. Tours of the 200-year-old Marblehead Lighthouse are available for $3 a person, cash only. Ages six and under area free.
Wolcott Keeper’s House Tours and Civil War Encampment11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Keeper’s House, 999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead. Free entry. Docent-led tours of the house that once belonged to Benajah Wolcott, the first keeper of the lighthouse. Period fare, including hot bean soup & cornbread, available as well as hearth-cooking demonstrations.
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Lakeside, Marblehead host Marblehead Lighthouse Festival on Saturday
