2026 Island Green Week, August 1-8
Getting to the Islands:
Green Week events take place across four Lake Erie Islands: Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island), Middle Bass Island, Kelleys Island, and Gibraltar Island. Check out the links below for more information on getting to the islands and where to stay:
Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay & Middle Bass
Jet Express to Put-in-Bay and Kelleys
ISLAND GREEN WEEK 2026 EVENT SCHEDULE
Hosted on: Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass Island, Gibraltar Island, and Kelleys Island
Dates: August 1 - 8, 2025
Coordinator: Renee Fultz
Phone: 646-678-1262
Email: leinwc@gmail.com
Address: Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center PO Box 871 Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Website Address: lakeerieislandswildlife.com/island-green-week
Event Description: Island Green Week events highlight the islands’ natural beauty and unique ecology. The Lake Erie Islands are a breathtaking destination, with opportunities to see utterly amazing parts of nature, history, and culture. Please join us for Island Green Week 2026, our islands have so much to show you. You will never regret a “A Natural Island Experience.” All events are family friendly, inclusive, and accessible. Thank you to Shores & Islands Ohio for sponsoring this event!
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, ages under 6 are 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
KELLEYS 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. Email Karly at kassteinberg@sbcglobal.net to 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.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5th
KELLEYS ISLAND GLACIAL GROOVE TOUR
KELLEYS ISLAND
10 am. 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
14th 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, a silent auction, 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 6th
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 6th
LAKE ERIE AWARENESS DAY
PUT-IN-BAY
11am – 3pm 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 Lake Erie Awareness Day 2026 | Ohio Sea Grant for station locations and more information.
FRIDAY AUGUST 7th
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. Visit https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/
FRIDAY AUGUST 7th
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 7th-8th
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
10:30 a.m. on Middle Bass Island; Cost - $25 each or $45 for both.
The 5K Race begins at 10:30 am. Runners start and finish at the Lonz Pavilion located near The Island Grind at the Middle Bass Island State Park. Course information will be provided on-site before the race. Water and encouragement will also be provided along the way! Register at
https://forms.gle/CZuETLempVdbyt2BA
The Kayak Poker Run kick off starts at noon with a varied start time until 1:00pm. 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. All stops are staffed with volunteers for safety and to distribute poker cards, snacks, and prizes. Register using https://forms.gle/wuehJP7tQq4p7c668 Registration for either event is $25. If you register for both, the cost is $45. If you preregister for either event, you will get a free t-shirt. The last day to preregister for both will be July 31, 2026. mbikayakpokerrun@gmail.com if questions.
Both events benefit our Middle Bass nature preserves and the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy.
The following businesses have generously supported this event, please support them during your visit to Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass Island, and Kelleys Island.
Miller Boat Line- https://www.millerferry.com
Jet Express- https://jet-express.com
Park Hotel- https://www.parkhotelpib.com
E’s Golf Cart- https://www.esputinbaygolfcarts.com
Ohio State Parks- http://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Heinemans Winery www.heinemanswinery.com
Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce- http://www.visitputinbay.com
The Boardwalk- http://the-boardwalk.com
Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory- https://stonelab.osu.edu
Island Bike Rental- http://www.ibrcarts.com/public/bike_cart_rental
Frosty Bar- http://frostys.com
Cameo Pizza- http://putinbaycameopizza.com
Transportation Discounts
E's Golf Cart Rental- $5 off day rental, Aug. 1-8th. For discount, mention Island Green Week.
Miller Boat Line, - Discount for passengers only for Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Islands.
Island Bike Rental- $20 off day golf cart rental at the Jet Express and Lime Kiln Dock, Put-in-Bay on Monday to Friday ONLY. Mention Island Green Week.
Island Lodging Partner Discount
Park Hotel, https://www.parkhotelpib.com - August 2-6 Sunday through Thursday ONLY. Buy 2 weekday nights and get a 3rd night FREE. THIS DISCOUNT CAN ONLY BE RESERVED BY PHONE 419-285-3581. Mention Island Green Week.