Many visitors know Ohio's Put-in-Bay best as a place to enjoy fun with family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere, but organizers of the first-ever "Green Week", a collection of community events spread over Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island and several of the neighboring Lake Erie Islands hope to showcase some of the area's natural beauty with a week-long slate of special events that include outdoor activities, entertainment and evoke memories about what many visitors remember most fondly about their childhood visits.
The Green Week schedule includes several events and stops that are among our favorite activities when visiting the islands.
Here are a few highlights of the week that you will NOT want to miss!
The South Bass Island Lighthouse is one of the first things most visitors see as they approach the island via ferry and disembark at Lime Kiln Dock.
I'm particularly fascinated with the history of Great Lakes lighthouses and we found that the South Bass Island Lighthouse has an especially intriguing history, as well as plenty of mystery surrounding some of its earliest keepers.
Ohio State University became the owner and guardian of the lighthouse after the Coast Guard offered it for sale during the 1960s. Take advantage of the free tours offered by Ohio State University students during Green Week.
Spend a day checking out several of South Bass Island's most fascinating and beautiful natural attractions by signing up for a self-guided "Island Preserve Ramble and Eco Tour" on August 10. A special tour packet with maps, a tour booklet, coupons for island businesses and other goodies will help insure that you don't miss a thing with a 28-stop tour of the island.
Island Ramblers can start at the Put-in-Bay Town Hall to enjoy a light lunch before heading out to tour the lighthouse, hike at island nature preserves and take a water taxi (an additional $10 per adult) to tour Stone Lab on nearby Gibraltar Island among other highlights.
Tickets for Eco Ramble cost $40, with proceeds benefitting the Put-in-Bay Township Park District and helping maintain and preserve island parks. Miller Boat Line will offer a $5 discount for golf cart rental for the day, as well as a special discount for round-trip transportation to and from the island.
While there are some scheduled activities and volunteer guides at some of the stops on August 10, you might want to consider doing the Eco Tour at your own pace using materials in the tour packet to spread it out over the week when seeing many of the stops won't incur an additional cost.
Tours like a visit to the Aquatic Visitors Center and Fish Hatchery, a special photo walk at the Middle Bass East Point Preserve at 10 a.m. on August 13 or a walk quick hike through the Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve are free.
Hungry Ramblers can enjoy a special Pig Roast at the Goat Restaurant on the evening of August 10. Tickets cost $15 with the event also including entertainment and a silent auction fundraiser to benefit the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center.
Green Week offers an excellent starting point for Lake Erie Island explorers, but be sure to allow plenty of time to check out other natural attractions like caves, beaches and State Parks, as well as wineries and sites reflecting the area's rich history like Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.
Check out this link at Miller Ferries for details and a more complete list of Green Week events.
Sponsors of Green Week include the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, Lake Erie Islands Conservancy and Put-in-Bay Township Park.
© Dominique King 2016 All rights reserved
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