ISLAND GREEN WEEK PRESS RELEASE 2023
Name of Event: Island Green Week
Hosted on: Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass Island, Gibraltar Island, and Kelleys Island
Dates: August 5 - 12, 2023
Coordinator: Renee Market
Phone: 419-708-5798
Email: RBrasher3@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 is a celebration of Nature.
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 2023, 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.
SATURDAY AUGUST 5th
LAKE ERIE ISLANDS NATURE & WILDLIFE CENTER
PUT-IN-BAY
11am - 5pm. Cost: $4 Adults, $3 Children 6-13yrs old, $3 Seniors, $10 for a family group, under 6 is FREE. See the newly enlarged and renovated Nature & Wildlife Center. Check out the exciting displays, indoor turtle pond, and geology exhibit in addition to the over 100 species of North American animals. This is a must do during Island Green Week. Open Monday-Saturday!
EXPLORER PACKS also available; scientific backpacks for Birding, Geology, and Pollinators that take you on a wild adventure of scientific discovery!
SATURDAY AUGUST 5th
NATURE WALK WITH DR. ADAMS
PUT-IN-BAY
1pm - 3pm. Cost: FREE. OSU’s Dr. Rachelle Adams and her team will be leading a fun-filled educational nature walk at one of South Bass Island's beautiful preserves (location TBA). Dr. Adams is a leading ant researcher and will also be leading an “ant hunt” after the walk that people are free to join. She will be collecting some ant specimens to take back to her lab to identify the species, so we can get a better sense of what ant species we have on the island!
SATURDAY AUGUST 5th
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/
SUNDAY AUGUST 6TH
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.
MONDAY AUGUST 7TH
MILLER BOAT LINE STARGAZING CRUISE
PUT-IN-BAY
8:00pm Cost - Adults $25, Kids $15. The ferry cruise will leave from the downtown Miller Boat Line dock on Put-in-Bay just before sunset. The stars will light up the sky as an astronomer will engage with the guest’s, sharing information about the night sky, planets, and stars. Passengers will have an amazing opportunity to enjoy the show from outer space as the ferry boat travels around the Lake Erie Islands. Wine and appetizers are provided. BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR AND BEVERAGES. Tickets are available starting in July at the Wildlife Center on Meechan Rd., or by credit card over the phone at 419-285-3037.
TUESDAY AUGUST 8TH
WILD TUESDAY
PUT-IN-BAY
1 - 3pm at the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center; Cost –FREE. Nature Nursery will have a variety of animals and reptiles on display for education. Wild Tuesday features 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 9TH – SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH
AQUATIC VISITOR CENTER TOURS
PUT-IN-BAY
10am – 5pm Cost - FREE. In a 1-hour tour, people of all ages can explore Lake Erie’s complex ecosystem through experiential activities and tanks of live fish. Children under 16 can borrow fishing gear and fish for free off the pier. The facility is run by Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio State University’s Stone Lab. For more information call 419-285-1800 or visit https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/visit/avc
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9TH
10TH ANNUAL PIG ROAST & RAFFLE
PUT-IN-BAY
6 - 9pm at the Goat Restaurant; Cost: $20 Pre-purchased, $25 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. As a special treat for this being our 10th annual event, we are bringing back the Rattlesnake Raffle! Limited tickets available, $20 each, to win a day at Rattlesnake Island with pool time, a delicious meal at their private restaurant, and a trip to their gift shop! Tickets available starting in July at the Nature & Wildlife Center.
THURSDAY AUGUST 10TH
HISTORIC GIBRALTAR ISLAND TOUR
PUT-IN-BAY
10am - 12pm or 1 - 3pm Cost - $10 per adult $5 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
THURSDAY AUGUST 10TH
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 11TH
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
FRIDAY AUGUST 11TH
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 AUGUST 11TH
HOMECOMING
KELLEYS ISLAND
Cost - FREE. Homecoming is sponsored by the Kelleys Island Landowners Association and is a weekend for those who love this island to enjoy a fish fry on Friday, parade on Saturday (with marching band), craft & vendor market, food & beverages—fun for the whole family! All Homecoming events take place at the Kelleys Island Pavilion on Addison St. For more information visit https://kelleysisland.com/events/homecoming-kila/
SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH
MIDDLE BASS ISLAND 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. 1 st place prize from Miller Ferry is RT tickets for 2 adults + 1 vehicle;
2 nd place from MBI General Store is a gift card; 3 rd place winner gets a bag of frozen shrimp from
Costco! Proceeds from the event will benefit the Put-in-Bay Township Park District’s newest
preserves on Middle Bass Island. (Rain Date August 13) Registration is available at:
https://bit.ly/3tcE7A5 Deadline to register early is August 6 th.
SATURDAY AUGUST 12TH
HOMECOMING
KELLEYS ISLAND
Cost - FREE. Homecoming is sponsored by the Kelleys Island Landowners Association and is a weekend for those who love this island to enjoy a fish fry on Friday, parade on Saturday (with marching band), craft & vendor market, food & beverages—fun for the whole family! All Homecoming events take place at the Kelleys Island Pavilion on Addison St. For more information visit https://kelleysisland.com/events/homecoming-kila/
The following businesses have generously donated discounts, please support them during your visit to Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass Island, and Kelleys Island.
Miller Boat Line- https://www.millerferry.com
E’s Golf Cart- https://www.esputinbaygolfcarts.com
Ohio State Parks- http://parks.ohiodnr.gov
Heinemans Winery www.heinemanswinery.com
Park Hotel- https://www.parkhotelpib.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
Jet Express- https://jet-express.com
Frosty Bar- http://frostys.com
Cameo Pizza- http://putinbaycameopizza.com
Kelleys Life- https://kelleysisland.com/kelleys-life
Transportation Discounts
E's Golf Cart Rental- $10 off day rental, August 6-13th. For discount ask 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 7-11 Sunday through Thursday ONLY. Buy 2 weekday nights and get 1 night FREE. THIS DISCOUNT CAN ONLY BE RESERVED BY PHONE 419.285.3581. Mention Island Green Week.
Commodore Resort Hotel, https://www.commodoreresort.com/ - August 10, 11, and 12th, 10% Off all lodging. This Discount can only be reserved by PHONE: 419-285-3103, must mention Island Green Week to receive a discount.