ISLAND GREEN WEEK: August 1-8, 2026
Island Green Week at Put-in-Bay Ohio runs from August 1st through the 8th, 2026. Events are held on Middle Bass Island and Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) in Lake Erie, Ohio.
Three of the biggest organizations and proponents of nature on the Erie Isles have teamed together to bring you some great activities during this week-long event. Experience a taste of the local wineries, a tropical island-style pig roast, kayaking on a Great Lake, and a dedication of the newest lakefront nature preserve on Put-in-Bay.
Check out these amazing Island Green Week events:
ALL WEEK AUGUST 1st - 8th | LEI NATURE & WILDLIFE CENTER | Put-in-Bay
11am – 5pm. Cost: $5 Adults, $4 Children 6-11 yrs old, $4 Seniors, $12 for a family group, under 6 is 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!
ALL WEEK AUGUST 1st - 8th | ECO RAMBLE | Put-in-Bay
Week-long event. 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!
SATURDAY AUGUST 1st | SCIENCE SATURDAY | Kelley's Island
11am-1pm Cost – FREE. Science Saturdays is a partnership between Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island Audubon Club, and the Kelleys Island Field Station. This is a weekly series of events that features interactive exploration centered around a particular topic. Families and learners of all ages are invited to explore firsthand science fun during this free drop-in event. 11am– 1pm on Saturdays through Labor Day. Complete Schedule of Science Saturdays at https://www.kelleysislandfieldstation.org/
SATURDAY-SUNDAY AUGUST 1st - 2nd | 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 3rd | KAYAKING | 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!
MONDAY AUGUST 3rd | 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!
MONDAY AUGUST 3rd | 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 4th | WILD TUESDAY | Put-in-Bay
1 – 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.
TUESDAY AUGUST 4th | KELLEYS ISLAND GLACIAL GROOVE TOUR | Kelley's Island
1:30 pm. Cost: FREE. Head over to Kelleys Island for an opportunity to visit and view up close the largest glacial grooves in North America! This guided tour by Chris Ashley of Kelleys Island State Park will take you on the trail that goes up and over the grooves to see the full expanse of this amazing geological phenomenon.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5th | 13th ANNUAL PIG ROAST & RAFFLE | Put-in-Bay
6 – 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 7th | 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
THURSDAY AUGUST 7th | LAKE ERIE AWARENESS DAY | Put-in-Bay
10am – 4pm 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 8th | FISHING AT THE AVC | Put-in-Bay
10 am – 12pm 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!
FRIDAY AUGUST 8th | 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 8th-9th | SOUTH BASS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE TOUR | Put-in-Bay
11am – 5pm 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 8th | MIDDLE BASS ISLAND 5K & KAYAK POKER DAY | Middle Bass Island
12:00 p.m. on Middle Bass Island; Cost – $20 pre-registration $25 on site. 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