Get in on the fun with a beach bonfire on Presque Isle, grape stomping in Geneva, Luke Bryan on Put-in-Bay, peaches in Niagara, tall ships in Erie & more iconic events.
Nestled on the scenic shores of Catawba Island, Gideon Owen Wine Company blends historic charm with modern elegance. Savor our award-winning wines, crafted from Lake Erie AVA grapes, in over a 150year-old winery
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In Every Issue
4
Letter From the Editor
6
Currents
The Erie Canal turns 200 and a new wellness center opens in Marblehead, Ohio.
12 Lakeside Living
Instead of downsizing, a recently retired Ohio couple built the resort-style home they’d always wanted.
26 More to Explore Make plans now for summer fun in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Western New York.
30
Big Picture
Cask Villa opens in 1920s Vermilion, Ohio.
All the overnight excursions, concerts, fests and side trips one could want.
Shores
When I was a kid growing up in Cleveland, there was one summer celebration we never missed — the Festival of Fish in Vermilion, Ohio.
There was something so exhilarating about the mix of a warm summer night, streets filled with happy people, fair food and live music — all set against the picturesque backdrop of tiny Vermilion.
To me, that’s still the point of hitting a few festivals each summer. While I’m generally content with mornings on the porch, long walks at sunset and time spent with friends at a winery or restaurant, days like that can’t duplicate the collective effervescence of being part of something larger than yourself.
If that sounds good to you, flip to page 16 for our Summer Fun Guide to the best events around Lake Erie, ranging from birds and bluegrass to walleye and wine.
I’m hoping to get to the Bash on the Bay (Aug. 13-14), the music festival started on Put-in-Bay eight years ago that now draws huge acts like 2025 headliners Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt.
Of course, I’ll also be returning to the Festival of Fish where this year’s ‘80’s theme takes me right back to my early years at the event. There’ll be a Journey tribute band, fireworks, a parade — and there’s even talk of a mullet contest.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Lake Erie Waterfront Dining Guide at LakeErieLiving. com/restaurants.
Colleen Smitek Editor
Chairman
Lute Harmon Sr.
President
Lute Harmon Jr.
Publisher Paul Klein klein@glpublishing.com
Editor Colleen Smitek editor@lakeerieliving.com
Web Editor Rachel Hagenbaugh
Contributing Writers
Laura Watilo Blake, Linda Feagler, Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Sarah Miller, Jill Sell, Lynne Thompson and Jennifer Webb
Managing Art Director
Jenny Perdue perdue@clevelandstudios.com
Contributing Artists Erik Drost
Production Manager Alyson Moutz Cowan
Account Managers
Julie Bialowas, Nichole Cardinale and Frank Bird
Operations Manager Corey Galloway cgalloway@glpublishing.com
Traffic Coordinator Paige Schuller
Director of Digital Strategy Jacquie Chakirelis
Development Manager Daniel Klinzing
Subscriber Services 1-800-453-1015 lakeerieliving@emailcustomerservice.com
Chief Financial Officer George Sedlak
Finance Director Perry Zohos
Accounts Payable Coordinator Geli Valli
Audience and Events Manager Jennifer Roberts
Take a trip back in time as Western New York celebrates the bicentennial of this engineering marvel.
On Nov. 4, 1825, a wedding took place in New York — a wedding of the waters.
Nine days earlier, a flotilla of boats had embarked from Buffalo to mark one of the greatest engineering achievements in history: the Erie Canal. Some eight years after the first shovel of dirt had been turned, the flatbottomed boats made their way to the Hudson River in Albany and then headed south to New York City. The new canal made it possible to travel from Buffalo to the East Coast entirely by water — a point New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton made by dumping a keg of freshwater from Lake Erie into the Atlantic Ocean.
“May the God of Heavens and Earth smile most propitiously on the work,” reflected Clinton upon the boats’ arrival in New York City, “and render it subservient to the best interests of the human race.”
Nearly instantly, inland shipping prices declined by 90 percent. The canal became known as the “mother of cities” for the towns that sprouted up along the route. And Great Lakes ports like Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago were well on their way to becoming metropolises.
“New York City wouldn’t be New York City without the Erie Canal,” says Brian Trzeciak, executive director of the Buffalo Maritime Center. “Buffalo would not be the city it is without the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal opened up commerce and for a way for people to move west. It’s been called a feat of human ingenuity, and it really is. How they built the canal was nothing short of an amazing feat.”
That feat will be celebrated all summer in New York state for the bicentennial of the canal’s opening, with a host of events scheduled along the canal route, including a re-creation of that first ride in the Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief, starting in Buffalo on Sept. 24, and ending in New York City a month later. The boat will dock at 28 ports along the Erie Canal and Hudson River before arriving in New York City for the official commemoration of the canal’s opening.
While the original Seneca Chief has been lost to history, the Buffalo Maritime built an exact 73-foot replica. The boat — which has electricity for lights, but no propulsion — will travel with a tugboat, the C.L. Churchill, and a push boat, the Buffalo Sal. (Named, of
course, for the mule that was a good old worker and a good old pal in the folk song “Erie Canal.”)
The new Seneca Chief was built with the help of some 200 volunteers over four years, says Trzeciak. It will be open for public viewing on weekends through May and June at the Commercial Slip at Canalside in Buffalo while the interior of the boat is being completed. By July, visitors will be able to tour the entire boat on both weekends and weekdays.
The replica was constructed within the Longshed at Canalside, which is being transformed for the bicentennial into the Waterway of Change, an immersive multimedia experience that will tell some of the lesser-known stories that grew out of the canal.
“It’s a story we didn’t learn in fourth grade,” adds Chastity O’Shei, brand strategy manager for Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. “We hear very little about indigenous people’s displacement. We hear very little about its role in the Underground Railroad. Escaped slaves would get tucked away in canal boats and get off at Lake Erie and make their way to Canada.”
The bicentennial kickoff weekend is May 16, with events ramping up after Memorial Day, according to Jean Mackay, deputy director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Cycle the Erie Canal (July 12-20) takes riders on the 400-mile journey from Buffalo to Albany. Hearkening back to the days when traveling circuses would stop at towns along the canal, the Flotsam River Circus will travel the canal route in August, offering 35 free performances along the way. Buffalo will also host the World Canals Conference (Sept. 21-25), during which the Seneca Chief will depart on its trek to New York City.
“That voyage is really going to be a centerpiece for the bicentennial,” Mackay says. “It will touch so many communities along the canal.”
For more information on the Erie Canal Bicentennial, visit buffalomaritimecenter. org and eriecanalway.org/bicentennial. – Vince Guerrieri
Rose Sabin’s new wellness sanctuary is a place to do yoga, but that’s just the beginning of the journey she hopes her students will take.
When Rose Sabin found yoga, she found herself.
“I didn’t realize then that that was the beginning,” she says. “I was dying a slow death.”
That was 15 years ago. These days, Sabin is on a mission to share everything she’s learned through her new Rooted Souls Wellness Sanctuary — a complex set on 2.7 acres in Marblehead, Ohio, that will ultimately include a yoga studio, café, event center, gift shop and a handful of 500-square-foot rental cottages.
The new place, which Sabin expects to open in early May, will be roughly four times as big as her current Root to Rise yoga studio and cafe located just down the road in Port Clinton, but the goal will be the same.
“So many people come in here because they think they want a juice or a better body,” Sabin says. “But that’s not why they stay.”
To understand Sabin’s story, we have to back up a bit. We first met Rose and her husband, Doug, in 2010 for a story on the new home they built in Marblehead after a fire destroyed their original cottage. She was standing on the bow of her boat in a bikini, her long dark curly hair blowing in the wind, waving hello as she and Doug returned from a day on the water. Throwing on a colorful coverup, she went inside to whip up a batch of grape martinis.
From the local art on the walls to the BMW Z4 convertible parked in front, everything was perfect. Sabin ran her marketing agency in Cleveland during the week and then let loose on Lake Erie on the weekends.
“On the outside, I had everything,” Sabin says. “What I realized was I wasn’t focused on my soul. It was more about the shell.”
That shell began to crumble in 2011 when a friend invited Sabin to try yoga as a way to destress from her busy life.
“The room was 105 degrees and I wanted to kill her,” Sabin remembers. But something shifted inside of her. “Between her music and
her words something moved my soul and I cried for the first time in years. She helped to heal me.”
One thought broke through all the others: “Wow, I don’t have to worry about the shell. I can really be who I am.”
Sabin began her two-track journey, working through her unresolved trauma from growing up in a dysfunctional family and battling infertility, while also training to be a yoga teacher, earning her certification in 2014.
Eight years later, Sabin was diagnosed with breast cancer — a battle that helped her see the final piece that was missing in her life. She sold her marketing agency and opened her yoga studio and wellness café in Port Clinton.
“We just kept growing and growing and growing,” she says. “There are a lot of women looking for a safe space where they can think and heal and grow.”
The new studio will have more room for classes, including spinning, barre, dance and Pilates, and a café that’s twice as big with expanded hours and an expanded menu with more sandwiches, salads and juices, as well as craft cocktails and wine — all made with seasonal, organic ingredients, many of which will be grown at an onsite greenhouse.
But Sabin says she and her team are most excited about the chance to grow their wellness community.
“People move up here and they know no one,” says Tina Roberts, who co-owns the café portion of the business with Sabin and is also a
yoga instructor. “They come in [to the studio] and they start meeting people.”
After class, they tend to stick around and chat, maybe grabbing a coffee or a juice. Slowly, real bonds form.
“A problem shared is a problem cut in half,” says Sabin. “Without that support from others, you fall victim to depression and anxiety, panic attacks.”
To understand how a yoga class can accomplish all of that, you have to see Sabin or one of her instructors in action — and how they create a vibe that’s both vulnerable and powerful. Sabin doesn’t just tell you what pose to take. Rather, each session is more like a motivational story accompanied by music and poses perfect for the point Sabin is making.
On the day we’re there, Sabin explains how there are times we all need a blanket (to be comforted) and times we need a sword (to fight). Her voice rises and falls as she shares personal stories and pushes her students through difficult poses interspersed with soothing moments of rest. She calls everyone “my love” and exudes the kind of energy that makes you want to hold the pose a moment longer.
After class, she explains more over coffee. “A lot of people come in here because they need the blanket,” she says. “But how do they move forward? What do they need to sever? What is the necessary ending? Selling off the ad agency was a necessary step for me.
“It’s progress; it’s not perfection,” she continues. “We light a lamp onto people’s paths.” – Colleen Smitek
Saturdays in July & August 10am-2pm
Victory Park
Every week features new vendors and new products to keep you coming back all summer. Within easy walking distance are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy and just a few blocks north is Main Street Beach and one of the best views of Lake Erie anywhere.
Saturday, August 2 10am - 2pm
Victory Park
Victory Park is filled with colorful artwork! Both professionals and novices create colorful chalk art work. Register to be an artist or just come and enjoy the show and vote for your favorites. New kids activities for 2025!
October 2025
Fun + funky skeletons on display throughout Vermilion. During October, local businesses adopt silly skeletons and other fun fall decor that you’ll find in windows, stores or storefronts, all festive, ready to surprise, and make you laugh. Vote for your favorite and possibly win a prize.
685 Main Street - www.mainstreetvermilion.org
Make Main Street Vermilion your first stop while visiting our “Small Town on a Great Lake”. Let us help you plan your visit, share the events we have planned throughout the year, and tell you how Main Street and our partner programs make a difference in our community, one you’ll notice. You can also pick up a unique Vermilion souvenir to help remember your time in our special town while supporting our mission of ‘adding the extras’ to our community.
Saturday, July 12 10am-2pm
Exchange Park
Self proclaimed Driftwood Capital of the World, Main Street Vermilion hosts this Driftwood Art Fest & Contest. Join in as an artist or view the exhibit and vote for your fav’s. Activities for kids + more.
Saturday, September 13
New! Visit some of our unique, quirky and newest B&B’s and homes for rent. Tickets required.
This retired Ohio couple opted to fun-size, creating the lakeside, resort-style home they always wanted.
By Lynne Thompson
he rundown ranch looked like it hadn’t seen an update since it was built in the 1960s. Worse yet, it was dangerously close to a 75-foot drop down a cliff into Lake Erie — only a stone revetment had stopped the continued erosion of what had been a backyard. But Terry and Christine, who asked that their last names not be used, were unfazed. The recently retired Ashtabula, Ohio, couple had vowed they would live on Lake Erie one day, and lakefront real estate was hard to find in northeast Ohio, let alone an entire 2 acres.
“WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE, AND THEN WE BULLDOZED IT,” TERRY SAYS.
Terry and Christine were as ready to build a new home as they were to demolish the existing one. Christine had wanted a modern farmhouse from the moment she first saw one on HGTV, a structure that combined traditional architecture with updated design elements. And both husband and wife wanted a pool, pool house, outdoor kitchen and fire pit, amenities they’d added behind their current residence. Architect Michael Caito and interior designer Brittany Chapple of Chardon, Ohio-based Payne & Payne Builders used the couple’s considerable input to create a four-bedroom, 4½-bath showplace, complete with lower-level gym, full bath and rec room, where they could age in place and continue entertaining in resort style.
“IT REALLY FEELS LIKE YOU’RE ON VACATION,” CAITO SAYS.
Caito flipped the locations of the dining room and kitchen in his original floor-plan sketch at Christine’s request so she could enjoy the lake view framed by a bank of windows while she cooked and feel like she was part of any outdoor function. She also asked him to add a glass door to the covered veranda and backyard from the butler’s pantry so it conveniently supplements pool-house refrigeration and prep space when necessary.
“Every cabinet has a custom organizer in it,” Chapple notes. “They even have custom liquor-bottle pullouts.”
Pocket doors were added so the butler’s pantry could be closed off from the kitchen and hall. Other this-old-house features include a built-in hutch in the dining room, built-in drawers in a guest suite over the garage, and a brick sunroom fireplace Christine chose to paint black.
“I wanted not a lot of color but a lot of texture,” Christine says. “The modern farmhouse look [is] a lot of woods, a lot of black and cream.”
To achieve that, Payne & Payne contractors painted the interiors white and covered the floors in hand-scraped acacia. Exposed beams and trusses add rough-hewn warmth to the vaulted kitchen, great room and owners’ suite.
“I love shiplap, so I wanted to incorporate it into every room somehow,” Christine says,
noting that it’s everywhere, from the great-room fireplace to the wall behind the vanity in the owners’ bath.
As a foil to banks of quartz-topped white kitchen cabinetry, Chapple suggested replicating KraftMaid’s Rustic Husk finish on the custom kitchen island and rangehood shroud, butler’s-pantry undercounter cabinetry and pocket doors, and hutch in the adjoining dining room.
Christine credits Chapple with guiding her in the choice of tile, as well. She settled on Anatolia’s bold black-and-white Steller pattern for the kitchen and butler’s-pantry backsplash and Anatolia’s black-and-white Lotus design for the laundry-room floor. The Antique Graphite selection from Wow-brand’s Mestizaje Chateau line, which boasts a blue-green cast and different iridescent pattern on every tile, brought Christine’s desired feeling of yesteryear to the gray Jack-and Jill guest bath.
The graphite diamond-patterned tile floor in the owners’ bath flows seamlessly into a zero-entry, white subway-tile shower. One of the most striking features in the house is a glass shower enclosure distinguished by black metal exterior muntin bars.
“IT LOOKS LIKE OLD FACTORYGLASS WINDOWS YOU’D SEE IN A WAREHOUSE DOWNTOWN,” CAITO SAYS.
“They wanted to bring an industrial feeling to the house,” Chapple says.
The climate-controlled pool house consists of a workshop where Terry washes the couple’s cars and tackles small woodworking projects; a kitchen with a bar and glass garage door that can be lowered or lifted as the weather dictates; half-bath and changing room with stackable washer-dryer; and lakeside screened-in porch with a wood-paneled vaulted ceiling and ledgestone fireplace. Just outside the kitchen, in front of a ledgestone exterior wall, is a gas pizza oven and grill. On the other side of the fireplace is an outdoor shower.
“I wanted it to look like a barn from the front of the house,” Christine says. “So, it’s very long.”
The pool house was roofed in the same metal and sided in the same charcoal-gray Hardie Board employed as an accent on the white Hardie Board house. To add texture, Caito shingled a section of the roof and outfitted the workshop with wooden barn doors. Terry and Christine worked with Blake’s Landscaping in Madison, Ohio, to design the infinityedge pool and spa. A lift by Inclinator Co. of America lowers family and friends down the cliff to a metal deck at the lake’s edge.
Gone are the days when Terry and Christine invited a hundred people to a party. Today’s gatherings are limited to 10 or 15. But events are scheduled from spring through the holidays. And Terry insists that every room, every feature, on the property is used.
“Once it gets warm enough, we live in the outdoor space,” he says. “The only thing we do inside is sleep.”
FOR MANY YEARS, THE TREND IN NEW CONSTRUCTION has been for an open floor plan, creating a spacious look between a home’s kitchen, dining room and living/ family room. And while that remains popular, says Jeremy Parish, the director of sales for Wayne Homes in Sandusky, Ohio, he notes that more potential buyers are looking for extra dens or offices off the main living space.
“There’s some cause and effect with the pandemic and people working from home,” Parish says. “But families want that extra space for their kids to hang out in. They don’t want everyone retreating to their bedrooms.”
Parish said basements are also being considered for more usable space, either as bedrooms (he notes that more houses are being built for multigenerational living) or hangout spaces for the kids. “We’re finishing basements right off the bat,” he says, noting that they’re usually considered projects that homeowners can put off. “A lot of basements are adding egress now, so they can count that square footage for appraisals.”
He is also noticing an uptick in demand for a formal dining room, in part because of that desire for separate gathering spaces and also because more people are eating at home.
“People are back to cooking at home and entertaining more,” he says. “People are definitely investing in kitchens and bathrooms.”
Parish says the trend in bathrooms is tile showers with benches built in as well as freestanding tubs. “People are looking for places to relax,” he says.
Clare Opfer of S&H Blinds & Floors in Sandusky has also noticed people spending more on their bathrooms, part of what she sees as a trend toward wellness spaces, which can include fitness rooms or even a place for yoga.
“A big trend we’re seeing is shower rooms, where the tub is in the shower itself, as well as steam showers and heated floors,” she says.
Steam showers, just as the name implies, are special showers designed and built with special tile and grouts not for water, but for steam, with a valve that comes out of the wall. “You sit in there and it helps you release tension and stress and toxins,” Opfer says. “Rather than a trip to the spa, you can do this at your leisure.” — Vince Guerrieri
BOARDWALK NIGHTS AT CEDAR POINT | Sandusky, Ohio
July 18-Aug. 17
You’ll never miss a live band because it’s always happening. Cue the dance party, cirque-style acts and interactive contests, too. “You can’t walk across the Boardwalk without coming across some type of live spectacle,” says Tony Clark of Six Flags Entertainment’s Cedar Point.
HIS TIP: Scan digital guides during the event to find out what’s happening in the moment so you can get where you want to go. cedarpoint.com
Expect “over the top.” The whole family’s invited for music, dancing, food, drinks and games. “It’s the perfect addition to a day at Cedar Point,” Clark says.
CUT THE LINE: Cedar Point in midsummer is a go-to venue, so if you’re looking for faster access to rides, shoot for cooler shoulder weekends in May and early June and again in late August, Clark advises. Sundays in-season are also not as busy. Getting a Fast Lane Plus pass also can expedite your day. Finally, Clark advises walking right past the long lines you’ll find as you enter the park. “Work your way back in the park and start there.”
NOW OPEN: Top Thrill 2 had an extended closure last year but it’s back on track. New this year is Siren’s Curse roller coaster.
Make room on your bucket list for a big pour of everything summer along Lake Erie. From daytrips and easy overnight excursions to concerts, fests and side trips, we’ve got you covered.
by Kristen Hampshire
POINT PELEE FESTIVAL OF BIRDS | Pelee Island, Ontario
May 1-19
In French, it’s Festival de la Plume. On Pelee, the language is birding during its annual festival, where a guided hike promises prime spottings. Enroll in a 100
Species Challenge, count the ones you see by sound or sight, and win a commemorative yellow warbler pin. No cheating. But with more than 370 species flying over the Canadian island, the odds are in your favor. festivalofbirds.ca
BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING | Oak Harbor, Ohio
May 9-18
Birders from every state, 50 countries and six continents show up at Oak Harbor because the Black Swamp Bird Observatory on the Magee Marsh of Sandusky Bay is a global observation point for rare birds. But it’s more than ticking off found species from a bucket list. “Our focus is on connection with people, with birds and creating a community and vibe — joyfulness that helps people fall in love with birds and find a common ground,” says Kimberly Kaufman, executive director.
EDINBORO ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL | Edinboro, Pa. | May 16-18
This grassroots celebration of Appalachian culture embraces Erie County character by gathering a variety of artists, educators, dancers and musicians for a jamboree-festival mashup. Cue up the barn dancing, streetside strumming, stage acts and sing-alongs for the kids. Hands-on arts tents include DIY workshops (kids, make a drum). Check out the gallery and artist demos. Plenty of local spots to check out, too — Crossroads Dinor, Sunset Grill or The Empty Keg. edinboroartandmusic.com
Ohio | June 13-15
Break out the Aqua Net hairspray, sport anything neon-colored — leg warmers optional since it’s summer, after all. Fishing in the ’80s, Mullet Mania is this year’s festival theme and the gnarly lineup includes a Journey tribute band, fireworks and a Father’s Day parade. Set sail in a Crazy Craft Regatta and deck out your vessel for the Lighted Boat Parade. Mullet contest, anyone? vermilionohio.com/festival-of-the-fish
by Kristen Hampshire
Never been birding? “It’s a treasure hunt every time you go outside,” Kaufman says. It’s also accessible. “No matter your ability, you can share in listening and seeing different birds.” biggestweekinamericanbirding.com
KEEP AN EYE OUT: Kirtland’s Warbler is a rare bird you may see at this top birding festival.
SMOKEY ROBINSON CRUISIN’
GETAWAY | Chautauqua, N.Y. | June 19
New this year, the Chautauqua Institution is stretching its chart-topping concert series beyond the traditional nine-week summer assembly into the shoulder seasons with Smokey Robinson in June and Bonnie Raitt in September. Swoon along with the soulful tenor whose Motown and R&B repertoire includes epic hits like “My Girl” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me.” Arrive early, dine at Heirloom Restaurant, stay the night and nosh on a hot breakfast with the Smokey Robinson Cruisin’ Getaway package, starting at $327 per couple for lodging and meals. (Concert tickets sold separately.) chq.org
HURON RIVER FEST | Huron, Ohio
July 11-12
Celebrate the waterfront, have a blast on the Fourth at the riverfront fireworks display, and pick up some tix for Midway rides and games. River Fest is a Huron tradition complete with crowning a queen — interviews and on-stage presentations required — and all the fair food you crave. Don’t miss the Berardi’s food truck for a Philly cheesesteak and fries. Jam with the local Schag family and their country-bluegrass band, Townline 26. huronriverfest.com
ALL TIED UP: Stop by Beagle Bay Knot Works for a gust of inspired sailor-tied jewelry and home décor. beaglebayknotworks.com
Rocky River, Ohio | July 12
Sip, nosh and dance for a cause at the annual Prayers From Maria fundraiser to fight childhood cancer. Wine and craft beer gardens flow on Depot Street, local restaurateurs dish up savory delights, and a kid-friendly environment on Festival Street saves you from getting a sitter. (No minors in the wine and beer gardens, however.) Rain or shine, 4 to 11 p.m. prayersfrommaria.org
OHIO | July 18-20
Boats ’n Boots is this year’s theme for a saloon-style stomping good time at this annual fest that checks all the boxes. Parade, food, games, live music, fireworks, revelry. Save the date and stay over at Kelleys Island Venture Resort. kelleysisland.com
ISLAND TIME: You’ve heard about the prehistoric Glacial Grooves, but what about the Lilac Walk, Scheele Preserve, North Shore Alvar or Kelleys Island History Museum? Carve out time for some intoxicating nature after the annual festival.
BLAZING PADDLES | Cleveland | July 19
The course is modified this year with an industrial segment. But you may paddle how you wish. Journey along the Cuyahoga River on a curvy 1- or 2-lap paddle-and-float (total 12.2 miles for the full monty). Or choose from other races of varying distance. No boat, no problem. Kayak rentals are available if you register early. sharetheriver.com/blazing-paddles
Middle Bass Island, Ohio | July 19
This year, the Chatfield Boys take the stage — an Ohio bluegrass band. While you’re on the island home of the historic Lonz Winery and Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, take a self-guided tour and get away at J. F. Walleye’s for a chill, poolside encore. lakeerieconservancy.org
OUTDOOR BOAT, SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW | Lorain, Ohio
July 19-20
The Midwest’s largest outdoor recreation show features marine, RV, karting, power sports, motorcycle and auto vendors. Landlubbers and water lovers, the Black River Landing expo offers rigs that suit your sport, all the gear and good company. outdoorshowbrl.com
DISCOVER PRESQUE ISLE
Erie, Pa. | July 21-27
Escape to a nature sanctuary where more than 340 bird species have been spotted. The Presque Isle peninsula juts into Lake Erie and feels a world away from the downtown bustle but is just 4 miles from Erie. Walk along 7 miles of beachfront, pack a picnic, explore two lighthouses and hike, bike, swim, surf or boat. During the celebration, take advantage of live music, arts and crafts and tours. Simply need to exhale? Bring a seat and gaze at the views. discoverpi.com
GIVE BACK: Seek out button and T-shirt tents where proceeds support Presque Isle Partnership projects focused on improving and expanding accessibility, enhancing amenities, education and conservation outreach.
Erie County, Pa. | July 24-27
WINE & WALLEYE FESTIVAL Ashtabula, Ohio | July 25-27
Celebrate Northeast Ohio staples — wine and walleye. This annual festival along Ashtabula’s historic harbor showcases varieties from local grape producers, a fish fry served by the local Fraternal Order of Police and a Friday Street Faire with myriad vendors. An allday beer tent ends with a dock party. The Lettie G. Howard returns this year for festival-goers who want to set sail. wineandwalleyefestival.com
Choose a two-wheel adventure. Pedal through wine country in the Tour de West County, start the day with a Presque Isle Sunrise Ride or explore scenic McKean Township during a See Spot Ride that benefits a local animal adoption center and ends with a “pawty” with four-legged guests. Cyclefest kicks off with the Downtown Slow Roll family-friendly course through Erie, starting and finishing at Perry Square. Vendors galore. Register online for rides. eriesportscommission.com
Lakeside has been a family
Toledo, Ohio | Aug. 1-3
Dress up your Jeep and ride in style for 20 blocks in downtown Toledo in the All-Jeep Parade,
then Park-N-Shine and take a load of other Wrangler getups. The two events are ticketed separately, with one entry fee per vehicle, and include a swag bag and participant T-shirt. Bragging rights are free and so are most festival events. Check out the vendor Midway,
interactive kids’ zones, a rare Jeep Exhibit, multiple live music stages and food trucks. toledojeepfest.com
VIP JEEPS: The Glass City Convention Center indoor exhibit features select Jeeps, with space for 100 registered vehicles based on historical value, rare
model, customization or built rigs. glasscitycenter.com/events
ROAD RUNNER: Register for the Sunday morning 4-mile run or scenic walk through Downtown Toledo along the Maumee River and Promenade Park. runsignup.com/ toledojeepfest
PORT STANLEY CALIPSO FESTIVAL | Port Stanley, Ontario | Aug. 2-4
Attention, mermaids, historians, lake lovers, boaters and inspired buccaneers — and anyone who wants to get in on a 201-year-old tradition. Port Stanley lays it out with a creative boat parade, artisan vendors and fireworks. Keep an eye out for magician Pirate Thom Bedlam. elgintourism.ca/events
LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL | Jamestown, N.Y. | Aug. 7-10
Laugh out loud with a crowd that loves Lucy at the annual comedy festival in Lucille Ball’s hometown. Comedy big shots and rising stars perform live, with over 50 events on the docket including stand-up showcases, late-night shows and family-friendly sketches. Vitameatavegamin, anyone? comedycenter.org ENCORE, LUCY: Tour the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum with 70-plus years of memorabilia and interactive exhibits. At the gift shop, pick up exclusive Lucy swag you won’t find anywhere else. lucydesi.com
Lorain, Ohio | Aug. 10
Sample craft beers from breweries you know and those you’ll discover at this one-day tasting session with food booths that also serve nonalcoholic options. Day drinking kicks off at 1 p.m. for early admission ($45), 2 p.m. for a standard ticket ($35) and never if you’re a designated driver ($20 ticket sold online only). Vendor presence is in the triple digits and includes hard seltzers and a handful of wineries. No minors. lorainbrewfest.com SHOULD YOU GO EARLY? A FAQ about this fest is, “Will any of the beers run out?” The answer: Yes, toward the end of the daylong session. Those with specific craft beer palates are advised to buy the early admission ticket.
BASH ON THE BAY
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Aug. 13-14
Chart-topping artists Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt (plus their supporting acts) will perform at the Put-in-Bay Airport. While the event is rain or shine, a huge storm put a halt to the bash in 2023 on the night Luke Bryan was scheduled to take the stage, making this year’s festival a redux of sorts. Book tickets and lodging in advance. putinbay.com
TALL SHIPS ERIE | Erie, Pa. | Aug. 21-24
Every three years, a majestic fleet of Tall Ships docks at Erie’s Bayfront District, recognized as Tall Ships America’s Port of the Year. Get in on deck tours and day sails, and see the local “star,” Erie’s Lettie G. Howard. Check out workshops and lectures, along with hands-on experiences aboard the historic vessels. Proceeds benefit sailing education in Erie.
tallshipserie.org
PORT DOVER SUMMER FEST | Port Dover, Ontario | Aug. 16-17
Gather with book lovers, makers, antique hounds and foodies and cruise through exhibitions in Port Dover’s Art in the Park. Are you a collector? BYOB (bring your own bag) to gather up finds from Market Street’s book and magazine tables. portdoversummerfestival.com
NATIONAL BUFFALO WING FESTIVAL | Buffalo | Aug. 30-31
Some like them hot. Others tend toward tangy. Whatever your finger-licking taste, you’ll find wings for days at Sahlen Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons minor league team. The annual festival honoring an all-time favorite American appetizer was born out of the city’s reputation as “Home of the Buffalo Wing,” and has drawn foodie celebs like Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse. Go hungry and without guilt: Proceeds benefit local charities. Rain or shine. buffalowing.com
THUNDER ON THE STRIP | Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio | Sept. 4-7
NIAGARA COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL LEWISTON, N.Y. | Sept. 4-7
Bite into a peach taste-off, all hail the Peach queens, wander through a Peach Shortcake Tent and see who wins the blossom and fuzz contests. Peaches rule at this 67th annual event, and they pull out all the stops at this lively carnival with performers on stage and sweet peaches everywhere you look. niagaracountypeachfestival.org
Thousands of bikes rumble into this throwback family-fun destination for Northern Ohio’s largest motorcycle rally. Plan for crowds of about 60,000 during a four-day run that includes a Founder’s Parade, a Thunder Bar Hop, nightly tribute bands, a Pro Rider Bike Games and Road Course, and the daredevil Harley-Davidson Contraband Stunt Team that makes popping a wheelie look like child’s play. thunderonthestrip.com DONUTS, ANYONE? Swing by Madsen Donuts circa 1938 for pillow soft marshmallow-filled cream sticks and the old-school sour-cream cake donuts that will have you wishing you took home two dozen. madsendonuts.com
Rte. 430 Dewittville, NY 14728 716-386-4033 farmbell@hotmail.com
HAGEN HISTORY CENTER
Erie, Pa. | Sept. 13
Champagne toasts and specialty cake confections abound at the 90th birthday party for the center’s favorite donor — Tom Hagen. The fete stands in this year for the center’s annual fundraising gala. Hit the open bar then get your groove on with music by Swing Time Big Band and Breeze Band. eriehistory.org STOMPING GROUNDS?
Check out the permanent exhibit featuring Frank Lloyd Wright’s San Francisco office.
GRAPE JAMBOREE | Geneva, Ohio | Sept. 27-28
“On Friday evening, we shut down this cute little town and paint it purple,” says Brian Kelly, the president of Geneva’s Grape Jamboree. More than 100 vendors line the main throughway, where a stage transforms into a site for grape-stomping, the royalty competition and a community church service.
Indulge in grape everything — pie, juice, ice cream (the creamy kind) and a selection of food truck and local fare. Cow Girl Café serves up dishes from beef that was “moving on a farm six months prior,” Kelly quips.
Never been to the Grape Jamboree? Show up early and stay late. Parades both days, carnival fare, a community center-based winery with more than a dozen purveyors, and live entertainment including the Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, flood the street. grapejamboree.com
Lounge, plunge, golf, dine and take the whole family — or not. You’ve got options.
By Kristen Hampshire
When in Western New York, plan extra days to explore more — nature, arts, sip-and-dine, hiking or relaxing poolside. There are plenty of places to tee up and wind down. Here’s a sampling of ways you can stow away summer memories.
It’s ground zero for birders — and a tribute to Roger Tory Peterson whose illustrated field guides help us all stop, look around and experience the little-big things the earth offers just because.
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown is a walkable, living, growing embodiment of the Peterson Field Guide that, for 90 years, has ignited wonder in both the everyday person taking a walk and intrepid birders who globe-trot with binoculars and lists of rare ones to spot.
The museum holds the largest collection of Peterson’s artwork and supports budding artists. “We nurture the next generation of nature artists who are as impassioned as Roger was in drawing us into a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature and raising awareness of the critical conservation challenges of our times,” says Arthur Pearson, the institute’s chief executive officer.
On exhibit now through July 27 is “Art That Matters to the Planet: Wild America.”
(See rtpi.org for more of the institute’s summer events.)
When you’re done inside, head outdoors to tromp around the 27-acre nature preserve with wildflower gardens, pollinator meadows and stands of hemlock trees. Some 2.5 miles
of trails wind through the site with spots to sit — benches, a gazebo — along with bird feeders where you can capture pics.
Sail away from skis and careen down a Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville. Take on the Aerial Adventure Park or tee up at the 18-hole par 70 Double Black Diamond golf course. Even airmail balls come with amazing mountain views.
Toting tots? Holiday Valley’s pools include wade-and-splash options, while Spruce Lake offers nature walks along the shore, and gem mining is fun for the big kids, too.
All ages can holiday in this valley.
“More advanced courses at Sky High Adventure Park are perfect for middle schoolers ages 12 to 14, including zip lines and higher,” says Dash Hegeman of Holiday Valley. “For those who love speed, our mountain bike trails offer exciting terrain to explore and they can cool off in the pool afterward.”
Just looking to dine and do views? Check out Edna’s at the Tamarack Club with an evolving seasonal menu. holidayvalley.com
From skis to s’mores and slopes to swimming — this transition happens annually at Peek’n Peak in Clymer. Book a getaway for family or go big with a group.
The Gazebo Grill Main Stage hosts Saturday Bonfire & Brews gatherings throughout the summer, with a beer tent, all the eats, green mountain views and a breather from the everyday. Add golf, an indoor-outdoor pool and bar, fine dining and high-ropes courses with a range of summer adventures. Put-put or gem mining, anyone? Rent or take your own clubs to the par-72 golf course with five teeing options. pknpk.com
Summer at Chautauqua Institution officially kicks off June 21. But early-bird visitors can save on gate rates by either going earlier or after Labor Day. Never been? There are so many ways to experience this lakeside retreat.
Learn – Take a class and pick up something new from writers and poets in residence or attend a lecture.
Play – Chautaqua Golf Club has two public courses and there’s tennis, sailing, kayaking and pontoon boats available.
Dine – Heirloom Restaurant offers elegant meals in the historic, lakefront Athaneaum Hotel, or go casual at 3 Taps and The A Truck waterside lounge and food truck.
Browse – From exhibitions at the institution’s art galleries to mementos at the bookstore or Bestor Plaza shops, you won’t go home empty handed. chq.org
There’s fun for the whole family at the National Comedy Center, which spans 37,000 square feet in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown. It’s been named a Top 25 Family Weekend Getaway by U.S. News & World Report along with giants like Disney. Comedy lovers and greats make pilgrimages to the museum, which honors and has welcomed artists like Nate Bargatze, Amy Poehler, John Mulaney, Jeff Foxworthy, Margaret Cho and more.
“Adults love to explore our Comedy Continuum touch-screen video wall, our stand-up lounge and TV living room along with exhibits celebrating Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Carl Reiner, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles and more,” says Gary Hahn, the center’s senior marketing executive.
The basement Blue Room is for the 18plus crowd and loaded with comedy roasts and unfiltered content that challenges social norms and tackles taboo topics.
Kids go head-to-head in Laugh Battle, design their own cartoon characters and memes, and charge the stage for Comedy Karaoke.
You’ll plan for a couple of hours but end up staying the day and plotting a return trip. Reserve time to dote over eclectic displays in the gift shop for cool finds. comedycenter.org
By Rachel Hagenbaugh
Dive into the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Erie, Pennsylvania, with a weekend itinerary designed to capture the essence of this lakeside gem.
“Erie is a welcoming, relaxed environment filled with friendly faces and a community that has a deep appreciation and awareness of the diverse qualities that make Erie such a great region,” says Christine Temple, director of communications for VisitErie. “And it’s all without the crowds and high prices associated with larger cities.”
First things first — where are you staying? Erie is filled with options, from Marriott’s modern Courtyard Erie Bayfront hotel and elegant Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel to the comfortable Hampton Inn & Suites Erie Bayfront. For a more secluded retreat, consider the cozy Seasons Inn B&B in Edinboro or a charming cottage at Kelso Beach Rentals near the lake.
After you’ve settled in, set sail with a sunset cruise. Climb aboard the Sotto Voce, a 33foot luxurious sailboat, to pair regional wines with breathtaking views, while the Lettie G. Howard, a historic tall ship, transports passengers back in time. For a narrated journey, the Lady Kate scenic boat tour unveils Erie’s maritime heritage.
When it’s time to eat, savor seafood with a twinkling waterfront backdrop at Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant. Or embrace nostalgia at Sara’s Restaurant, a 1950s-style diner
offering burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes. Looking to stay out late? Sway to live tunes and mix and mingle with other night owls at Sloppy Duck Saloon, a laid-back lakefront ale house, or Bigbar, a cavernous space with oversized entrees and massive drinks.
Breakfast at Give a Crepe/LaCrepErie or Lawrence Park Dinor set the stage for a day of discovery. For a quiet morning complete with a cup of joe and a good book, start your day at Pressed or Werner Books.
With caffeine in hand, explore the fascinating exhibits of the Hagen History Center and Erie Maritime Museum, both of which offer diverse dives into the city’s rich past. For an afternoon of family fun, head to the newly renovated expERIEnce Children’s Museum, where kids can explore interactive exhibits. Next, journey to the Erie Zoo, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, and home to more than 400 animals. If you’re visiting on a hot summer day, there’s no better place to cool off than Waldameer Amusement Park & Water World, boasting a new Time Twister ride and expanded facilities.
As evening approaches, dine with panoramic views at Pier 6 or explore the diverse culinary options of JR’s on the Bay or Panos’ Restaurant. Or enjoy a playful pre-dinner activity with miniature golf at Oliver’s Bayfront Mini Golf before settling in at Oliver’s Beer Garden. For upscale fare, try The Cork 1794, or Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Restaurant for a blend of comfort and elegance. Save room for dessert with a trip to Denny’s Ice Cream Stand, open until 10.
No Erie weekend is complete without experiencing its vibrant brunch scene. Oliver’s Rooftop offers stunning scenery, while Julius provides a cozy, refined ambiance and The Skunk & Goat Tavern welcomes guests with a rustic, gastropub vibe. For a lively, nauticalthemed experience, you’ll love Calamari’s Squid Row, or opt for Oasis Pub & Tiki Bar for a tropical-inspired meal. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill brings smoky, robust flavors to the table, and Luminary Distilling serves up innovative food and drink pairings. If you’ve never had an authentic Italian brunch, Mi Scuzi Ristorante Italiano is a must. Or, for a truly unforgettable meal, book a peaceful brunch cruise aboard the Victorian Princess.
Next, Bicentennial Tower beckons with magnificent sights atop its 138-foot observation platform. Nearby at Bayview Park, snap a photo at the iconic ERIE Sign for a must-have souvenir.
More natural beauty unfolds during a scenic drive along Lake Erie Wine Country, which includes more than 20 charming destinations, from Mazza Vineyards and Penn Shore Winery to 21 Brix Winery. On the hunt for locally made Erie-centric souvenirs? Check out Presque Isle Gallery and Gifts, Glass Growers Gallery, Erie Apparel, Beach Zero or Relish Studio & Gallery. For local treats to take home, stop by Great Lakes Popcorn Co., Lake Erie Candy Co. or Romolo Chocolates.
When lunchtime hits, visit Flagship City Food Hall, offering everything from mac and cheese, pizza and bagels to healthy Asian noodle bowls, authentic Dominican fare and a fruit and veggie bar featuring smoothies and wraps.
Once you’ve recharged, spend the afternoon at Presque Isle State Park. Enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride along the trails, relax on the sandy
beaches, rent a kayak or paddleboard from Presque Isle Boat Rental or explore the Top Ridge Environmental Center.
“I always enjoy a trip to Presque Isle State Park, whether it’s to take a stroll on the beach, watch the sunset from Sunset Point (Kite Beach) or visit the North Pier and watch the boats sail through the channel that connects Lake Erie to Presque Isle Bay,” Temple says.
Before you set your sights on home, stop for a sweet treat at The Ice Cream Shoppe or Kelley’s Korner Market & Kreamery, or grab a pickme-up and cuddle adoptable cats at Purrista Cat Cafe.
Take advantage of the best Erie has to offer by planning your trip around one of these three exciting events.
Discover Presque Isle (July 21-27) highlights the beauty of Presque Isle State Park through various family-friendly events, entertainment and activities.
Erie Blues & Jazz Fest (Aug. 2-3) fills Frontier Park with the eclectic sounds of local, regional, and national blues and jazz performances.
Celebrate Erie (Aug. 15-17) is a multi-block celebration along State Street and Perry Square, showcasing the art, food, culture, music and people of Erie.
The shore and islands of Lake Erie were known and celebrated as one of the great wine-producing areas in the United States until 1920, when Prohibition became the law of the land. Dozens of brewers, distillers and winemakers closed down, including Schuster’s, a winery in Cleveland. An enterprising man named William J. O’Neill bought 36 of the winery’s 6,000-gallon barrels at a cost of $1,200 each. He had plans for them.
O’Neill owned a piece of property in Vermilion — and took the wine barrels there, where he had a total of 22 reconditioned for use, adding doors and windows and wiring them for electricity.
The result was Cask Villa, a set of summer cottages on the lakefront. The cabins had all the comforts of a home away from home, including an icebox, stove and bathroom. And they were accessible as well, just off Stop 133 on the Lake Shore Electric Railway, an interurban that started
at Public Square in Cleveland and went all the way to Toledo, Ohio. “The casks, as O’Neill has set them up, are every bit as roomy as the average summer bungalow,” The Plain Dealer wrote in 1925, the year before Cask Villa opened.
O’Neill died in 1940, but the casks lived on, becoming a curiosity nationwide. Photos were distributed by wire services to newspapers throughout the country, and Cask Villa even made an appearance in “Strange as It May Seem,” a syndicated illustrated feature.
Eventually, Lake Road got bypassed by larger, newer high-speed highways, and many of the tourist destinations on it declined. Cask Villa remained a popular summer spot through the 1970s, but the casks were long gone, replaced by cottages with the latest creature comforts.
While O’Neill’s former property has hung onto the Cask Villa name all these years, it is now a condominium complex.
— Vince Guerrieri
