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Island Diary June 2026
Mon., June 1st – Workers are putting decking on the new DeRivera Park dock. Matthew Stacy (PIBHS Class of 2019) enjoys speaking Spanish over a bit of breakfast and cup of coffee with his high school Spanish teach Carol Cerny. Carol says she was impressed with how he’s becoming fluent. Tom and Diane Brennnan bring some donations into the island museum. Among the items is a Round House bowling team shirt that belonged to Tim Reinhart from when there was a bowling league at the old Colonial in the 1960s. The staff from the Middle Bass General Store enjoys a trip to PIB for a quick dinner and night out before the busy summer begins! This is the first day the sunsets at 9 p.m. at Put-in-Bay this year.
Tues., June 2nd – The Village holds a public hearing to help them decide on how many rental golf carts it should license. Following that meeting, the Streets and Safety Committee meets to discuss daily parking passes paid parking. John Galvin is trying his hardest to have DeRivera Park Dock open for this coming Mills Rae weekend. Joy Cooper celebrates her half-century birthday. Friends and family of Julene Market take a ferry to Rattlesnake Island and enjoy a special, senior birthday dinner at the Pheasant Tail Inn. Upon their return to PIB, they enjoy cake at the pavilion at Miller Marina.
Wed., June 3rd – At the GLIA (Great Lakes Islands Alliance) zoom meeting, eBikes on islands is the topic of discussion. There’s a perch special at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club.
Thu., June 4th – Among the topics of discussion is the museum wanting the police department’s impound lot back. The museum has let the Village use it for many years, but now needs it for additional parking. The library hosts a tour of Duff’s Vineyard with Walt Duff narrating the tour with Tom Brennan who grew up on the island. Members of the Middle Bass Historical Museum Construction Committee met at the building site of their new museum with Lester Hostetler of Wooster Buildings, LLC (the general contractor for the building project) to discuss paint colors, construction timing, various subcontractors, window placement, sewer requirements, as well and other various construction details.
Fri., June 5th – The Mills Trophy Race sailors from Toledo Yacht Club begin their race to Put-in-Bay. Three courses are offered, depending on class and boat rating. All begin near the Toledo Harbor Light and end at a finish line off South Bass Island. Put-in-Bay’s local Island artists show and sell their one-of-a-kind pieces next to Sweet Siblings. One lane on Bayview Ave. by the DeRivera Park Dock is closed as workers rush to get the final electric and plumbing work done so the Mills Trophy racers can dock there for the weekend. These will be the first boats to dock at the new dock. Kayakers who are here for their weekend event are at arriving at the South Bass Island State Park.
Sat., June 6th – Mills Race sailboats that arrived at PIB during the night are docked at the new DeRivera Park dock. John Galvin and his crew deserve a big thumbs up for having the dock open just in time for them. Miller Ferry transports a bunch of midget cars and their owners who are part of a King Midget Car Club rendezvous on the island. There’s a storm at dinner time, but that doesn’t stop people from eating.
Sun. June 7th – St. Paul’s has a Summer Sunday Worship service in DeRivera Park at eight in the morning. The PIBYC Ladies Auxiliary holds a Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Welcome Back Ice Cream Social to kick off the 2026 season. Participants get to meet their instructors and coaches, connect with other PIBCSS families, and learn about important dates, events and summer program updates. Brian “Fox” Ellis presents “A Night in the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper,” based on the life of Marblehead’s first lighthouse keeper, Benajah Wolcott, to about three dozen people at the SBI Lighthouse in the afternoon. DeRivera Park B-Dock closes and will reopen the coming Friday. There’s still a bit of “detail” work to finish up to make everything is decent before for the season starts in earnest.
Mon., June 8th – PIB Community Swim/Sail classes begin. It’s also Pride Day at the Bay. There’s a 5k run in the morning and a scavenger hunt in the afternoon. Stand-up comedian and actor Molly Kearney has a show at the Boathouse, and the day ends with the Drag Show on stage at the Round House. This years winner is a drag king, Lilian Frederick (PIBHS Class of 2023) from Cameo Pizza. Congrats Lilian! There’s a Queen of Hearts drawing at the Fishbowl. Ten-year-old Liam Market pinch hits for his dad and collects his first extra base hit in Lake Erie Islands Softball League play.
Tue., June 9th – Frosty Bar has it first-ever Drag Brunch. There are some fabulous performances, brunch cocktails, and great food for its unforgettable Pride Week celebration. Lots of rain goes through as the day ends.
Wed., June 10th – M&R Cement Contractors from Sandusky is pouring concrete at the Thrift Shop (formerly the Resale Shop) entrance. Owner/Contractor Milan Jacksich has done lots of concrete work on the island and says here’s my phone number, (419) 366-1106. A crew is out painting the bike icons on the bike lanes on Langram Road. Please use caution. Work is starting on the new sidewalk in front of John Nissen’s house, the blue one behind Mossbacks. It looks like it’s going to be nice and wide.
Our Top Picks For 2026!
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- How To Get To Put-in-Bay
Thu., June 11th – Council meets and approves the annexation into the Village of 12.1399 acres of developed residential property on East Point. Island kids attend a 10th birthday party for Aries Dress.
Fri., June 12th – The Episcopal Church ladies are again selling strawberry shortcakes during the Founders’ Day festivities. Strawberry prep and cutting is taking place at the church kitchen in the morning. Village Council meets to discuss parking and traffic problems. They discuss options for traffic backups at the corner of Bayview and Catawba Avenues in front of the Boardwalk. Mike Mewhorter from the Village water plant reports on leaks in the public water system. Later ferry trips are added to the Miller Ferry schedule. Up on Pelee Island they’re playing Euchre at the Royal Canadian Legion 403 hall. Maybe we should be thinking about a tournament between the Pelee players and the euchre players who play at our yacht club.
Sat., June 13th – This busy Saturday starts off with the Pooch Parade in DeRivera Park. It’s also Founder’s Day. St. Paul’s sells out with its strawberry shortcake sale. The Put-in-Bay Panther Twirling Club performs. At the Goat’s Biergarten, the All-Gemini Extravaganza is going on in the afternoon. John Shea from Meechen Rd. reports there’s an ODNR officer in a white pickup ticketing drivers who run the stop sign as they leave the State Park. Press House Joe Suttmann, of Joe’s Bar fame, who has been on the island for several days from Austria, is on stage with Ray Fogg for the evening show at the Reel Bar. On this day in 1915, Perry’s Monument at is opened to the public amid great fanfare and ceremony.
Sun., June 14th – All three flags at Perry’s Monument are U.S. flags. Usually, there are three flags, an American, a British and a Canadian, flying. – Shortly before noon, the 225-ft., 125 passenger luxury vessel American Patriot, operated by American Cruise Lines, passes between Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island as part of a 14-day Great Lakes voyage. About 20 minutes after 1 p.m. a golf cart goes down Delaware Ave. the wrong way. It’s like a ghost town compared to the day before at this time. Several trees on the island go down as a wild windstorm passes through the islands after lunch. One blocks the Trenton Ave. Tables and chairs on patio in front of Doller Estate are blown over as the wind gusts hit 59 mph. There’s a retirement party for Miller Boat Line captain David Bianchi at Sous le Chevre (Under the Goat). Monica Heineman is the only one who attended the Crown Hill Cemetery walk. The Miyo and Maria Hristovski Family celebrated the high school graduation of their daughter Mia with a community party at Margaritas on the Rocks.
Mon., June 15th – Workers are pouring a large section of concrete on the Lime Kiln ferry dock. Tom Thanasiu is helping Dianne Smith clean up of the branches of a cherry tree that fell at the end of her driveway during yesterday’s storm.
Tues., June 16th – The PIBYC Auxiliary has its first season 2026 weekly luncheon on-the-town at Bell Buoy, formerly the Picnic Basket. Picnic attire is encouraged! Geology is the topic for Wild Tuesday at the Nature Center.
Wed., June 17th – On this date in 1911, the new Steamer Put-in-Bay made her maiden voyage to Put-in-Bay. She would serve Put-in-By through the 1949 seasons carrying passengers on the Detroit, PIB, Cedar Point run.
Thu., June 18th – Wind projections aren’t nearly as bad as previously expected and ferries run their regularly scheduled trips for the day. Chicken Patio has a Jamaican special for the day. Their Jamaican seasonal employees whip up a delicious meal of jerk chicken and rice and peas. They sell out by 6 p.m.! There’s a sip and shop event at the Bell Buoy gift shop next to the Boathouse in the afternoon. You can enjoy suet cake making at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center in the morning. You can also tour Gibraltar Island. Later at the Nature Center you can enjoy sipping (BYOB) and painting with Juli Parsons who will help you paint a red winged black bird family. Lake Erie Idol kicks off at the Reel Bar. Cheer on locals as they take to their stage to compete for the title of Lake Erie Idol, all while raising money for charity. There is plenty to do if you are visiting Put-in-Bay. Village Administrator Anne Auger posts that the Ottawa County Commissioners have voted to approve the annexation of the 12 acres on East Point into the Village.
Fri., June 19th – The Put-in-Bay Community Swim/Sail Spaghetti Dinner & Raffle Fundraiser takes place at Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. Another successful fundraiser in the books! Thanks Spaghetti Chair Courtney Blumensaadt and the rest of the committee for stepping up and congratulations to all the winners!
Sat., June 20th – The Ohio Wine Festival takes place at Heineman Winery. The museum has a raffle there, and one of the items, Peace of the Rock, a limited-edition piece by jewelry artist Jessie Greene, goes for $750. The PIB Property Owners Association meets for the second time in June. Guests are Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick, PIB Village Police Chief Mike Dillon and Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEertan. The MBI Historical Museum meeting takes place at the MBI General Store. Ohio’s free fishing days for 2026 are today and tomorrow and all Ohio residents can fish in public waters without a license. Mike “Mad Dog” Adams is on a nicely shaded intimate outdoor stage at St. Hazard’s on Middle Bass doing his Mad Dog thing, singing songs, tellin’ stories, salty jokes, peppery jokes and preachin’ his Perch Church phylosophy of life that, “Every Day Above Ground is a Gooood Day!” At the Middle Bass Town Hall field, the Family Fun Festival is taking place. And on Kelleys Island, Grant Nichols wins the 2026 Dockers Greasy Pole Competition, the most exciting thing happening on any of the Lake Erie Islands today.
Top Lodging Picks For 2026 At Put-in-Bay
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- Bird’s Nest Resort (birdsnestresort.com) – 419-285-6119
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- Victory Station Hotel (putinbayvictorystation.com) 419-285-0120
Sun., June 21st – Marv Booker enjoys a ride with his family on USCG 40587 decommissioned, the Coast Guard boat he was stationed on when he first came to the islands about 65 years ago. There are 44 cars in the antique car parade. A note for the Lake Erie Islands Softball League history book: Booker boys, Ericson, Jack and Blake are on all three bases at one time. Blake Booker also hits a homerun later for the Boardwalk team. On this date in 1868, the island kids who lived on East Point began the summer school session in a log cabin on East Point.
Mon., June 22nd – Today is included in the 2026 palindrome zone with the date of 6/22/26! The date reads the same forward and backward. Nature Camp for children ages 4-10 starts at Middle Bass Island. Nature Camps encourage children’s natural curiosity of the outdoors by engaging them in fun and educational activities. It includes hands-on nature activities, crafts and a physical activity. Please contact the Lake Erie Island Nature & Wildlife Center for more information about this great program. Registration forms are available at lakeerieislandswildlife.com.
Tue., June 23rd – Auxiliary Luncheon at Rattlesnake Island Club. Tom Thanasiu is busy cleaning the I-LYA Commodore Memorial in DeRivera Park. More than 60 children and adults flocked to the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center for the “Wild Tuesday” Birds event. The scheduled Miller Ferry sunset cruise to benefit the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society is canceled due to low interest in the event.
Wed., June 24th – Dr. Charles “Ed” Herdendorf, former Director of Stone Lab, is at the Aquatic Visitor Center in the afternoon discussing the geology of South Bass Island. – Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez is the keynote speaker at the WIIC 2026 Healthcare & Innovation Summit at the Crew’s Nest. The event brings together top healthcare executives, physicians, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, economic development leaders and manufacturers for two days of meaningful conversations, strategic networking and collaborative problem-solving designed to accelerate innovation and growth while enjoying Ohio’s Lake Erie coast.
Thu., June 25th – DeRivera Park B-Dock has a Pyrate Fest scavenger hunt. Participants have a chance to win B-Dock swag. Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant at The Ohio State University host a live web event for NOAA’s annual HABs Forecast for Western Lake Erie. In addition to the official forecast, the event features spring nutrient loading and projections along with expert commentary and highlights of recent research efforts and successes. Volunteers Liz Neroni and Logan Dunn are at the Duff Homestead and Bayfront Preserve cleaning out around tree plantings.
Fri., June 26th – Pyrate Fest begins for the weekend. Over 200 people participate in the Pyrate Pub Crawl. Middle Bass Island’s Senior Men’s Club meets at the MBI Town Hall.
Sat., June 27th – There’s a flag football tournament that’s lots of fun to watch. At the yacht club there’s a celebration of life for Bob Shannon in the afternoon. The Middle Bass Town Hall Annual meeting takes place. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Middle Bass Historical Society Museum takes place across from the Middle Bass Town Hall in the early afternoon.
Sun., June 28th – At the Reel Bar, there’s a community fundraiser to purchase police officer uniforms, since officers must buy their own uniforms. Event activities include photos with an officer, ring the siren experience, custom personalized songs by entertainer Bob Gatewood and more activities. Bob reports they more than quadrupled their original goal of $1500. The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society’s “Welcome Back Members” party and potluck on June 28th is postponed until a later date.
Mon., June 29th – Ohio Edison performs a planned power outage in the morning and early afternoon for power line maintenance.
Tue., June 30th – At the South Bass Island State Park is an “Archery Hits Put-in-Bay” program presented by an ODNR Outdoor Skills Specialist. The “Water Cycle” is the topic of this week’s Wild Tuesday program at the Lake Erie Islands Nature Wildlife Center. Precipitation for the month of June in the island area was more than an inch above normal.