Put-in-Bay Island Diary July 2025

putinbay.com is proud to present the Put-in-Bay Gazette’s Island Diary. For the best South Bass Island journalism, visit putinbay.news and subscribe to the Gazette today!

Island Diary July 2025

Tue., July 1st – The PIB Village Council discusses paid parking and rental golf carts running without licenses from the Village. Sheryl Patry’s ashes are put on the Patry plot in Maple Leaf Cemetery. On this date in 2000, the Lonz Winery terrace collapsed on Middle Bass Island during weekend festivities. Eighty people were injured and one person killed. Those who were there say many lives were saved by the first responders and other tourists who did what they could to help.

Wed., July 2nd – There’s Purple Martin Banding Scheeff at the Scheeff East Point Preserve. Gabi Lindsey of the Winous Point Conservancy will be there with Paula Ziebarth of the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy to band the purple martin young birds. Officials temporarily close the trail at the Duff Woods preserve on Mitchell Rd. so they can get tree trimmers in to clean up the trees after the little wind squall went through last week.

Thu., July 3rd – The PIBEMS answers a call to the State Park where someone reports people throwing life rings from the beach. It turns out to be the kids in swim/sail program practicing life saving.

Fri., July 4th – Mad Dog Adams conducts a Conch Blowing Contest at the Round House. The winners got island mystery novelist Bob Adamov books as prizes. Rain starts as the fireworks begin and ends when the fireworks are over. It was a great “once-in-a-lifetime” show. On this date in 1995, a group of 23 immigrants took the ferry to Put-in-Bay in to take the oath of citizenship in front of the towering Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.

Sat., July 5th – It’s another really hot day with no rain. A group of men at the pool at Put-in-Bay Condos are purposely doing belly flops.

Sun., July 6th – Wow. Nearly all of western Lake Erie has reached a water temperature of 80° or warmer by the first week of July.

Mon., July 7th – Amy Alford is out setting up bat noise detectors at locations around the island. With her are Elliott Ross and Stone Lab student Maria Sagel from Gibraltar setting up bug zapping apparatus to learn about mosquitoes. There’s T-shirt folding at the yacht club in the morning. There’s a hard rain in morning, but that doesn’t stop Mariah Loud from doing housecleaning at the Duff Homestead with Kendra Koehler. The historical society has a board meeting.

Tue., July 8th – PIB Village Council holds its second meeting of the month. Fox 8 interviews Lisa Brohl at Duff Homestead. The Middle Bass Island State Park announces the office (harbormaster) will be closed on Mon-Tue-Wed for the rest of the season. The average surface water temperature of Lake Erie is now 76.3°. This is about +4.3° above average for this point in the Summer season. The Lake Erie Islands Conservancy holds a board meeting.

Wed., July 9th – A storm goes through the islands with 60 mph winds recorded at Bahney’s cottage at the tip of Peach Point. There’s a Tiki Toss Cornhole Tournament with cash prizes for the winners at Mojito Bay. The PIB Garden Club meets at the Duff Homestead and enjoys a watercolor workshop with Celeste Mycoskie. Thanks goes to Susan Hildebrandt for her help with the program. There’s a Sip & Shop event at The Bell Buoy (Picnic Basket) in the late afternoon. Tickets are $15 for wine tasting and appetizers with 10% off all merchandise.

Thu., July 10th – Fishing is good south of Green Island and west of the Lime Kiln Dock.

Put-in-Bay Quick Links

• Things To Do At Put-in-Bay
• 2025 Put-in-Bay Event Calendar
• Our Favorite Places To Eat At PIB
• Put-in-Bay Ferry Service

Fri., July 11th – The annual Community Swim/Sail Program awards are presented at the yacht club after dinner. The dessert table is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Sat., July 12th – It’s another brutally hot day for the 6 vs 6 Soccer, Put-in-Bay Cup play at McCann’s Field. Known as a soccer party, the Put-in-Bay Cup combines the excitement of the sport with the vibrant atmosphere of Put-in-Bay, making it a must-attend event for soccer enthusiasts and island visitors alike. A few drizzles and a light breeze help cool things off a bit. Over on Middle Bass committee members and anyone else interested meet at the Town Hall to hear about getting involved with the future MBI Historical Museum.

Sun., July 13th – Tammi Campbell Riemer (PIBHS Class of 1979) celebrates her 65th birthday party at her home near Ashland, Ohio. It’s the second day of soccer tournament play.

Mon., July 14th – The Put-in-Bay Police Department hosts a legal training session for South Bass Island security guards and business owners at the Town Hall in the morning. The training discusses security officers’ authority and the Police Department’s expectations. The Department works closely with business owners and their employees to ensure that residents and visitors to the Village have a safe and enjoyable experience. Former PIB residents Chip and Anne Weiant visit Put-in-Bay for the day. Volunteer Emily Seckel removes invasive Common Reed Grass and plants natives Canada Rye, Purple Love Grass and shrubby Cinquefoil with the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Clammyweed and Evening Primrose in the native plant garden in the corner of the Village Bathing Beach. Volunteer Mary Parker is planting more natives at the Duff Homestead.

Tue., July 15th – The limp-flying American flags are trying their hardest to get some good winds for the Junior sailors for their second day of racing. Over on Middle Bass the garbage truck is completely stuffed and is not able to finish pickups. The Ferry cannot get the truck back until 6:30 AM on Friday morning, so the rest of the pick up is delayed a few days.

Wed., July 16th – The Massie Cliffside volunteer work detail for the new trail is cancelled due to possible bad weather. Island league softball play is cancelled due to field conditions. Several islanders travel to Carey, Ohio for island-scene artist and former shop owner Phil Gerstner’s funeral. You can tell Jeep Invasion weekend is ahead. There are already some tricked-out rigs on the island.

Thu., July 17th – The new trail construction program led by AmeriCorps intern John Walsh at Massie Cliffside Preserve is back on.There’s a 3rd birthday party for Dylan Riley at the Riley residence next to the Pink Catawba House. Due to lake conditions and low water level, the Sonny-S does not run. The I-LYA Jr. Regatta Sail Awards are presented at the Yacht Club. After lunch, many of the I-LYA Junior Sail teams pack up and head to the ferry to get back to the mainland and home. There’s a pre-party at Frosty Bar for the Jeep Invasion Jeep owners and enthusiasts. Things cool off a bit as a northwest wind arrives as the sun goes down. There’s a “Plant & Pour program at the Nature Center.

Fri., July 18th – There a good wind for the Carson Cup sailors. Jack Calfee sails his way to a first place victory. Rick Oulette from Pelee Island tells us walleye fishing is best ever. The 10th Annual Jeep Invasion officially kicks off. These’s always an excuse to paint.

Sat., July 19th – Scores and scores of Jeeps are on display on the front lawn at Heineman Winery. Jeep owners and fans can enjoy peer voting, door prizes, and trophies, celebrating the unique Jeep spirit amidst the beauty of Put-in-Bay. Later the Jeeps parade around the island and get a group drone photo. Over on Middle Bass the annual Music Festival takes place. A girl falls off a golf cart on the West Shore. Miller Boat Line curtails passenger travel to PIB due to unruly visitors who have come to ascend on Put-in-Bay this Saturday in recent years. Extra police officers are planned for the day, but this never happens. After a very long day, Village Administrator Anne Auger rides home from downtown to East Point at 9 p.m. in the rain.

Sun., July 20th – Back to normal is the theme of the day. With temperatures in the 70s and an overcast sky, the northerly wind puts a chill in the air. The downtown is clean and serene and ready for another day of tourists. To start the morning there’s a Day of Discovery program about the Snakes of the Islands in at the Nature Center. The antique car paraders finish the day with a final stop at the Getaway Inn. Four ladies leave Beer Barrel Saloon bartender Dan Lydon a $1000 tip. The Rattlesnake Island softball team has its first win in league play over Topsy Turvey’s. One of their foreign student workers hits a home run that almost goes over the roof of the Getaway Inn. RIC member Dave Zavagno also hits a home run to ice the victory.

putinbay.com Top Lodging Picks For 2025 At The Bay

Mon., July 21st – The seniors on the island enjoy their weekly lunch at Topsy Turvey’s.

Tue., July 22nd – Absolutely gorgeous summer day. Crew’s Nest maintenance is putting a fence up behind the homes of their Bayview Ave. neighbors. A man is spotted riding his electric scooter while trailering a carrier with a dog in it. A big bright orange semi with a 52-ft.-long trailer drops off a load of wine to the PIB Winery on Bayview Ave. When he is finished, the driver has to back all the way up to the Moss Backs so he can make a turn in order to get off Bayview Ave. The Wild Tuesday program at the Nature Center is about lampreys. At the library, they’re making wine glass succulent planters. Marc Burr from the Perry Group puts out a call for fun volunteers who can help sell their iconic Don’t Give Up The Ship Ducks, talk with visitors, and assist with activities when the Largest Rubber Duck is on the island August 1st through 3rd.

Wed., July 23rd – It’s a great day for the PIB Garden Club Home & Garden Tour. David and Michelle McArtor’s beautiful home on Snake Rd. is one of the must sees on the tour. The Special at the Upper Deck is the Cajun Spiced Shrimp Burger. Sandi Glauser is at the Duff Homestead doing some interior painting. The Island’s Nature Camp kids head to North Bass on the Jet Express to spend the night. The I-LYA Power Boat Regatta begins.

Thu., July 24th – Temperatures reach into the 90s. Celeste Mycoskie is conducting a Sip & Paint program at the Nature Center. Today marks the end of the Stone Lab summer speaker series. The final event features presentations from students in Stone Lab’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) fellowship. At the Keys there’s a mini boat show where you can go on and inspect the Cruisers Yachts 34 GLS OB, Aviara 36 OB, Sea Ray 270 SDX OB, and Scout 260 LXF in the water! A quick squall passes over at the end of the day. There are 31 boats on the public B-Dock. On this date in 1923, Miss America, Katherine Campbell, was the guest of Miss Kaufman of Sugar Island.

Fri., July 25th – Bill & Lisa Kehoe security camera at their cottage on Chapman Rd. alerts them to some motion in their barn where they park their golf cart. The motion maker turns out to be a big fox snake slithering onto the dash of their cart. The officers of Put-in-Bay Police Department enjoy pizza with members of the island community at the PIB Town Hall. Thanks to the Brewery and Cameo for providing the delicious pizza. A golf cart catches fire on Langram Rd. in front of Tim and Jeanette Luecke’s home.

Sat., July 26th – After the antics of the previous Saturday, the island is almost back to normal, but there are a few clad-challenged, visiting twerkers who could definitely benefit from some butt cheek reduction surgery. A rain and wind squall hits the island in mid-afternoon. John and Patricia Fisher hold their annual Showing up early for FishStock party. The island’s baton team is at the State Fair.

Sun., July 27th – It’s warm again in the morning, but not nearly as brutal as some of the days we’ve had this summer. After the antique car parade, the officers of the I-LYA parade from the yacht club to the monument in the park across the street from B-Dock where they hold a memorial service. Justine Cultice and her father enjoy their 15th Annual Daughter and Dad Bucket of Beer Day at the Round House.

Mon., July 28th – Village Council meets in the morning to discuss the events of and the police presence on the last two Saturdays. There’s not an empty seat in the council room. Aaron Schaffer from Village maintenance is in the process of spreading an additional 100 yards of mulch around the playground equipment in the downtown park. Several Amphicars are seen on the island (and also off in the water). Tina Ericsson, one of the former original developers and owners of the Perry Holiday along with her husband John and Fred and Judy Berry, was on the island for the first time for a visit in about 15 years. The chainlink fence at the Crescent on Delaware Ave. get a red drape to hide the construction site. The day starts with a 50/50 chance of showers in the late afternoon, but a heavy thunder, lightning and rain goes through the islands just before 4 o’clock and lasts for two hours. It’s card drawing night for the Queen of Hearts raffle at the Fishbowl. The electricity in the Village goes out before midnight.

Tue., July 29th – The special at the Boardwalk’s Upper Deck is Summer Harvest Salad. It’s hard to find a better day for boating around the Lake Erie Islands. Cantankerous makes a fuel run to the mainland on a flat calm lake as the sun goes down.

Wed., July 30 – Crews from the Township and PIBFD are called to assist a box truck that is stuck in an in-ground electric box on Jeris Lane. The Boardwalk hosts their famous Lobster Mania on the main deck. Mayor Judy Berry declares the day “Paradise Island Day” in honor of their 40 years of entertaining at the Round House Bar.

Thu., July 31 – The I-LYA Deepwater Sail Regatta starts. The largest rubber duck in the world is being unpacked and put together at the corner of Langram & Meechen. On this day in 1931, formal dedication ceremony was held at Perry’s Monument on Put-in- Bay. An NBC radio network carries the ceremony live.

Putinbay.com is proud to present the Put-in-Bay Gazette’s Island Diary for July 2025, in the August 2025 issue of the Gazette.

To subscribe to the Put-in-Bay Gazette please visit their website by clicking here.