Hit the beaches as Discover Presque Isle features days of exploring, crafts, food and more
Discover Presque Isle 2023 will be memorable for those who have known and loved it since before the pandemic. Two of its most popular elements, the food trucks and craft fair, are both returning after a three-year hiatus.
"We are welcoming back food and craft vendors and artists," said Jon Demarco, executive director of the Presque Isle Partnership, for which the event is a fundraiser. "We took a reprieve from that during the pandemic."
The event, which runs Monday through July 30, is not exactly as it was before. The two elements will have a smaller footprint as they're going to be at Beach 11 instead of the Waterworks area as in the past.
"It'll be more intimate," Demarco said. "And it will be spilling onto the beach area."
Also, Demarco is excited for the volunteer platform that allows people to sign up to help out right on the PIP website. Any time up to the event, folks who want to help can pick their date and time from what's available on the volunteer schedule at discoverpi.com.
"We're feeling great," he said of the DPI team. "We've streamlined some things and the platform can handle that."
Demarco said the important part is that people come and enjoy themselves, keeping in mind it's a fundraiser for the park.
"It's a way to give back all that the beautiful park gives to us," he said.
Buttons are $5 and frog T-shirts are $15 and both are created by Erie-based Erie Apparel.
One of those buttons might be worth even more than a day at the beach.
"If you buy a button, you get a chance to win a $1,000 gift card to Country Fair," Demarco said.
More: Underdog BBQ, We Corny, ILP Snack Shack food trucks parking at Presque Isle this summer
The festival on the peninsula is spread out over a week now, with some activities starting Monday, such as the lighthouse tours, beach yoga and pilates, Lady Kate boat tours, and more. The Yellow Bike Tour Co. also will be open near the Waterworks area.
Demarco also wants to highlight a new event, which involves park naturalists showing off their photos and videos of working on the peninsula showing on the Big Green Screen inside Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
"I could sit and watch that and learn something every time I see it," Demarco said.
The only thing he seemed to be concerned about was the annual issue of parking, and, of course, attendance, which go hand in hand. One of the reasons the partnership has expanded the festival to seven days was to spread out attendance, but he knows parking will be an issue no matter what.
"I don't know how many people are going to show up," he said. "Carpool if you can."
Schedule of popular events
Art in the Park & Food Truck Festival: at Beach 11; July 28, noon to 8 p.m.; July 29, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and July 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kite Beach Illumination: July 28, 8 to 10 p.m. at Sunset Point, weather dependent. Free
Sand Sculpture Competition: July 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Beach 11 (no registration or entry fee required. Simply show up and start building)
Live Music & Giant Bonfire: July 29 at Beach 1, 9 to 10 p.m.; Fire performers, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring Jennifer Dennehy, Samantha Cyparski and Sophia Kopasakis. Free
6’s Volleyball Tournament: July 29 at Beach 6 starting at 8:30 a.m. Six-person teams, coed, round robin. Registration $90, required at www.discoverpi.com.
Presque Isle Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast: July 29 and July 30, 7:30 a.m. to noon, at the Rotary Pavilion. adults, $10; children younger than 12, $6. Add egg, $1.
Address Earth Kids Programs: July 28 and 29, noon-6 p.m., and July 30, 2-6 p.m. Beach 11 pavilion Free.
More: Presque Isle Lighthouse, Erie Land Lighthouse open for 2023 season
Other activities
Sunset Point Kite Flyers, July 28 and 29, dawn to dusk.
Tom Ridge Environmental Center: open daily, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., 301 Peninsula Drive. Free. History of Presque Isle, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 1 p.m.. Naturalists will show off photos and videos on the Big Green Screen. Free
Archery for beginners: July 28, 29, 30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., play field. Free.
Presque Isle Canoe & Boat Rental: open daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Rental fees apply.
Presque Isle Lighthouse: Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free to walk the grounds, fees for tours. All three lights.
Yellow Bike Rental Co.: Open daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Rental fees apply.
Yoga, pilates and yogilates: Daily, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Beach 8. Free.
Lady Kate boat tours: Daily, times vary, Perry Monument. Fees apply.
UPMC Sunset Music Series: July 27, 5:30 p.m., Beach 11.
Lagoons by pontoon tours: July 28, 9 a.m., and July 29, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Registration required. Free.
Artist showcase: July 29 and 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Presque Isle Lighthouse. Free to view.
Fishing with the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie: July 29, 9 a.m.-noon, Waterworks floating dock. No license required; equipment provided. Free.
Lake Erie Cyclefest Sunrise Ride: July 27, 10:30 a.m. to 1p.m. Cookhouse Pavilion. Registration required.
Birding crafts and activities for kids: July 30, Noon to 4 p.m., Perry Monument. Free.
Your guide to summer around Erie: Presque Isle, Waldameer, music, festivals, food and more
www.discoverpi.com
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Or at 814-870-1885.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Discover Presque Isle features week of crafts, food, more at peninsula
