Island Green Week events highlight the natural beauty and unique ecology of the Lake Erie Islands. Put-in-Bay, Gibraltar and Middle Bass Island are breathtaking destinations, with opportunities to see amazing parts of nature, history and culture. Please join us for Island Green Week, our islands have so much to show you. You will never regret a “A Natural Island Experience.” All events are family friendly, inclusive, and accessible.

More details on 2026 Island Green Week events coming soon!

AUGUST 1-8
Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, PUT-IN-BAY – 11am – 5pm daily. Cost: $5 Adults, $4 Children 6-11 yrs old, $4 Seniors, $12 for a family group, ages under 6 are FREE. Discover the nature of the islands at the Nature & Wildlife Center. Check out the exciting displays, indoor & outdoor turtle ponds, and geology exhibit in addition to the over 100 species of North American animals. This is a must do during Island Green Week, and don’t forget to get your Eco Ramble instructions. Open daily!
ECO RAMBLE, PUT-IN-BAY – Cost: $15. Purchase at the Nature & Wildlife Center, admission for the family is included along with the coupon book, 101 Things to do at PIB with over $100 in savings! Go on a fun adventure anytime during Green Week and explore the preserves of the Put-in-Bay Township Park District. Use the clues provided to find the photo spots on each trail, return to the Nature & Wildlife Center with proof you visited every trail and win a prize!

JULY 31 through 1 AUGUST 2
DECLARATION 250, PUT-IN-BAY All day. Cost – FREE. Declaration 250 is a special event recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, held in conjunction with the nationwide America 250 celebration. Taking place at the historic Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, this two-day commemoration will honor America’s founding ideals and the continued pursuit of liberty and unity. The event will feature ceremonies, guest speakers, living-history reenactments, educational programs, and family-friendly activities designed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages. As one of the key sites in the national America 250 initiative, Put-in-Bay is proud to host this historic celebration on the shores of Lake Erie — a fitting setting that honors both America’s independence and its legacy of peace. For more information and schedule details visit https://lakeerieheritage.org/declaration250/

MONDAY, AUGUST 3
KAYAK TOUR, PUT-IN-BAY – 9am – 3pm. Cost – FREE. Kayak with H2Ohio guides at the South Bass Island State Park. Time slots are 9am – 10:30am, 11am – 12:30pm, and 1:30 – 3pm. Register in advance to secure a spot!
ARCHERY, PUT-IN-BAY – 10am – 12pm Cost – FREE. Join ODNR’s mobile archery unit at the South Bass Island State Park for this fun event learning how to safely shoot a bow. Equipment is provided, anyone in line by noon will get to shoot. Open to all ages!
HOTEL VICTORY GROUNDS TOUR, PUT-IN-BAY – 7:30pm. Cost – FREE. South Bass Island State Park will host a tour of the infamous Hotel Victory Grounds. This family event will start with a beautiful sunset at South Bass Island State Park and end at the Hotel Victory Swimming Pool Pavilion. The tour will highlight various still-existing features of the Hotel Victory, a history of the grounds, and exciting facts about life at the Hotel. Tour provided by naturalist and island resident Renee Market. 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
WILD TUESDAY, PUT-IN-BAY – 1 to 3pm at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center; Cost –FREE. Learn all about backyard wildlife with wildlife rehabbers Back to the Wild! Wild Tuesdays is a weekly event starting in June featuring live animals, colorful crafts for children, and educational opportunities for all ages! If your curiosity is peaked, we invite you to visit all our Wild Tuesday Events throughout the summer, we look forward to being WILD with you.  

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
ANNUAL PIG ROAST & RAFFLE, PUT-IN-BAY – 6 to 9pm at the Goat Restaurant; Cost: $25 Pre-purchased, $30 day of. Join us at the Goat Beer Garden for a delicious slow-roasted pig along with tasty sides donated by local restaurants while enjoying live music by Lucas Guy. We’ll have lots of great prizes for the raffle baskets and don’t forget to try your luck at the 50/50 raffle! Tickets will be available starting in July at the Nature & Wildlife Center. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
HISTORIC GIBRALTAR ISLAND TOUR, PUT-IN-BAY – 10am – 12pm or 1 – 3pm; Cost – $12 per adult $6 per child. Transportation to and from Gibraltar Island is paid separately via the Boardwalk water taxi. This is a wonderful experience for every member of the family. A two-hour tour explores Gibraltar Island, home to Jay Cooke’s Castle, Commodore Perry’s 1812 Lookout, Stone Laboratory’s classrooms and facilities. For more information visit https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/visit/gibraltar
LAKE ERIE AWARENESS DAY, PUT-IN-BAY – 11am – 3pm Cost – FREE. Lake Erie Awareness Day brings you the magic of Lake Erie’s history, culture, and natural resources. Spend the day touring the island while learning about Ohio’s greatest water treasure. You will have the opportunity to visit education stations where you will learn about island history, native plants and animals, the dangers of plastic pollution, and boating safety. Fun giveaways and a great day in nature awaits you. Go to all the stations and be entered to win a fabulous island themed prize. Visit go.osu.edu/PlasticFreePIBDay for station locations and more information.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
FISHING AT THE AVC, PUT-IN-BAY – 10 am – 12 pm Cost – FREE. Join fishing specialists at the Aquatic Visitor Center for the First Cast program. Kids under 16 welcome. Rods, bait, and tackle provided. Register ahead to secure your spot!
LONZ WINERY CELLAR TOUR, MIDDLE BASS ISLAND – 4:30pm Cost – FREE. Tour of the famous Lonz Winery Cellar and Grounds. This family event will start with a guided tour through Lonz Winery Cellar and end at the Island Grind and Prohibition Bar at the Historic Lonz Press House. The tour will highlight various still-existing features of the Lonz Compound, a history of the grounds, and exciting facts about life on Middle Bass Island and the winery. Tour provided by Naturalist and Island Resident Renee Market. 

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 & 8
SOUTH BASS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE TOUR, PUT-IN-BAY – 11 am – 5 pm Cost – FREE. Discover information about the area’s history and the most pressing issues facing Lake Erie before accessing the top of the lighthouse tower to see an expansive view of Put-in-Bay. Visitors can climb the stairs to take in a magnificent view of Put-in-Bay from the top of the tower, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information visit https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/visit

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
MIDDLE BASS ISLAND 5K & KAYAK POKER DAY – 10:30 pm on Middle Bass Island; Cost – $20 pre-registration $25 on site for each event.  Kayakers start and finish at the Middle Bass Island State Park west beach (No starts later than 1:00 pm).  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 the Put-in-Bay Township Park District’s newest preserves on Middle Bass Island. (Rain Date August 3) Registration link  https://tinyurl.com/MBIpkd2025

The following businesses have generously donated discounts, please support them during your visit to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island.

Miller Boat Line- https://www.millerferry.com 

E’s Golf Cart- https://www.esputinbaygolfcarts.com 

Ohio State Parks- http://parks.ohiodnr.gov 

Heinemans Winery www.heinemanswinery.com

Park Hotel- https://www.parkhotelpib.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 

Frosty Bar- http://frostys.com 

Cameo Pizza- http://putinbaycameopizza.com 

Transportation Discounts

E’s Golf Cart Rental– $10 off day rental, Aug. 2-9th. For discount, mention Island Green Week. 

Miller Boat Line, – Discount for passengers only for Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Islands. 

Island Bike Rental- $20 off day golf cart rental at the and Lime Kiln Dock, Put-in-Bay on Monday to Friday ONLY. Mention Island Green Week. 

Island Lodging Partner Discount 

Park Hotel, https://www.parkhotelpib.com – August 7-11 Sunday through Thursday ONLY. Buy 2 weekday nights and get 1 night FREE. THIS DISCOUNT CAN ONLY BE RESERVED BY PHONE 419.285.3581. Mention Island Green Week. 

Coordinator: Renee Fultz
Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center
PO Box 871
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Phone: 646-678-1262
Email: leinwc@gmail.com