Waterfront festival celebrates, supports Toledo Lighthouse
The 18th Toledo Lighthouse Waterfront Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11, at Maumee Bay State Park, located at 1750 Park Road #2, Oregon.
Festivalgoers can take a boat ride up close to the iconic lighthouse, where they can look for Sarah, the phantom of the lighthouse, in the third-story window. They can also check out the first- and second-floor shutters which have been replicated as part of a restoration process. The cost is $40 per person for the hour-long ride. Reservations are recommended and may be made by texting 419-367-1691.
A number of artists and crafters from throughout the region will be on hand, offering a variety of nautical-themed and other items, including pottery, art, beach glass, yard art and much more.
There will also be live entertainment in the park amphitheater, including performances by American Legion and Polish bands, steel drums, the Bob Wurst Band, Johnny Rodriguez and others.
Visitors are invited to browse through and bid on more than 100 items in the silent auction tent and to visit Carl the lighthouse keeper and Don the lighthouse historian There will also be kids’ games, various food available for purchase and the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Maumee Bay State Park.
The festival is sponsored by the all-volunteer, 400-member Toledo Lighthouse Society, which is raising funds to restore the lighthouse. The restoration has begun with an investment of $775,000. It will take an additional $2.5 million to restore the lighthouse and open it to visitors. Once completed, there will be a rotation of four people who serve as “keepers” and stay at the lighthouse to welcome boaters and guests for tours.
Admission and parking for the festival are free; a $5 donation would be appreciated. Shuttles will be available from the parking lot to the festival area.
For more information on the Toledo Waterfront Lighthouse Festival, visit toledolighthousefestival.org.