Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The 22nd Annual Toledo Lighthouse Festival – a celebration and benefit for the iconic structure that sits about five miles off shore will take place Sept. 12 and 13 near the Nature Center at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon. Festival admission and parking are free, though small donations are requested.
Dedicated May 23, 1904, the 4,000-square-foot structure sits on an artificial stone crib and includes a three-story main building, a three-story tower, an annex and a cellar. Its steel roof resembles an upside-down ship hull.
Festivalgoers can enjoy an ongoing slate of live performers; artisans and crafters offering a wide range of items including fall nautical-related works; Toledo Lighthouse merchandise; children’s activities; festival food favorites and more. A large silent auction with gift cards, merchandise and more will conclude at 4 p.m. Sunday. Lighthouse presentations will be offered at the Nature Center.
Those who would like to see the Toledo Lighthouse up close can schedule a boat ride around the structure on a 30-foot charter boat. Rides are available Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (weather dependent). Tickets are $45 each. Call 419-367-1691 for reservations. Payment is required at the Toledo Lighthouse Tent at the festival before embarking on the trip.
The Lighthouse Festival is the main fundraiser to help the Toledo Lighthouse Society with ongoing restoration work. All festival proceeds, net of costs, help the lighthouse.
The over 400-member volunteer 501c3 nonprofit society continues to work to complete $2.5 million restoration of the lighthouse. The Lighthouse Society took ownership of the lighthouse in 2006.
Visit /www.toledolighthouse.org for updates and details.
Ongoing:
Mondays through Oct. 12: Monday Night Cruise-ins, Applebee’s, 3007 Curtice Road., Northwood, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Music by Cruisin Zeake. cruisinzeake.com.
Saturdays through October, Toledo Farmers Market, 525 Market St., Toledo, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. toledofarmersmarket.com.
Through Oct. 18: “Currents of Change,” National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo. Temporary exhibit invites visitors to explore the ever-evolving relationship between people and our freshwaters. nmgl.org.
Thursdays: Jazz in the Garden, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr., 6:30 p.m. Enjoy regional jazz artists, food trucks and more. Bring a chair or blanket. metroparkstoledo.com/jazz.
Second Saturday and Sunday: Sensory Friendly Weekends, National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo. The dedicated experience takes place one hour before the museum opens (9 a.m.) and features dimmed lighting, lowered exhibit sounds and more. nmgl.org.
Sept. 8-Oct. 31: Pumpkin Picking at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, 7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon. Visitors can explore the pumpkin patch, take a scenic hayride, feed the farm animals, and enjoy fresh cider and made-from-scratch donuts. The farm is open daily from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. through Oct. 31. Specialty donuts also return this season with limited-edition, one-day-only flavors. facebook.com/fleitzpumpkinfarm.
September
Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30: Senior Discovery Days, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Trail, Toledo. Seniors are treated to great perks and activities on Wednesdays in September during Senior Discovery Days. toledozoo.org.
Sept 7: Marblehead Lighthouse Last Day of the Regular Season, 112 Lighthouse Drive, 12-4 p.m. marbleheadlighthouse.org.
Sept. 9: Sandusky County Historic Jail & Dungeon, Historical Tours, 622 Croghan Street, Fremont, 5:30 p.m. One-hour guided tour includes the historic 1892 Sandusky County jail, the 1840's Dungeon under the Sandusky County Courthouse and the Gallows Exhibition Hall. Cost: $5. Adult flashlight tours ($10) start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available at the door or online at www.sanduskycounty.org.
Sept. 10: Music at the Museum, Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, 6-9 p.m. A free concert on the east wing porch of the historic County Home Building. woodcountyhistory.org.
Sept. 10: Rodney Carrington Live, The Stranahan, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, Toledo, 7-9 p.m. An evening of laugh-out-loud comedy and unapologetic humor. thestranahan.com.
Sept. 10: Jam Sessions with Vern & Friends, Fremont Community Amphitheater, 209 S. Arch St., 6-9 p.m. Free; bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
Sept. 11: Gibsonburg 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Williams Park, 10 a.m. The 9/11 Public Safety Services Memorial, completed and officially dedicated on Septe. 11, 2016, stands to honor all of those Public Safety Service Personnel who work to make their communities a better place and to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. gibsonburgohio.org.
Sept. 11-13: 54th Greek American Festival, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 N. Superior St., Toledo. A celebration of Greek culture and the Orthodox faith with entertainment, food, pastry and hospitality. toledogreekfest.com.
Sept. 11-13: Black Swamp Arts Festival, downtown Bowling Green. Celebrating 30 years of arts, community and entertainment, the festival features juried art displays from artists from around the country, plus food, music, kids’ activities and more. blackswampfest.org.
Sept. 12 Brew Hop, Pemberville, 6-9 p.m. Visit Pemberville Independent Merchants Association on Facebook for updates. pemberville.org.
Sept. 12: Day of Honor, Toledo Zoo. A celebration of military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters, EMTs and hospital workers. toledozoo.org/events/day-of-honor.
Sept.12: History Roundtable: We the People—The Signers, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 10–11:30 a.m. Mike Gilbert examines the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and the individuals who helped create and preserve the historic document. Sessions are $5 each or $25 for the six-part series. Advance registration and payment required. rbhayes.org.
Sept. 12: Crystal Bowersox Meet & Greet at The Mockingbird on Mill Rd., 4408 N. Elliston-Trowbridge Rd., Graytown, 12-3 p.m. $20 admission. Event is not a performance. themockingbirdonmillroad.com.
Sept. 12: John Crist Live, The Stranahan, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, toledo, 7-9 p.m. A night of quick wit and sharp, observational humor. thestranahan.com.
Sept. 12: Fremont Speedway (AFCS 410 & 305 Sprints Winged, Dirt Trucks). Gates open at 4 p.m.; races start at 7 p.m. www.fremontohspeedway.com.
Sept. 12: Rockabilly Night, Fremont Community Amphitheater, 209 S. Arch St., 8- featuring Lords of the Highway & The Madison Crawl, Fremont Community Amphitheater, 209 South Arch Street, 11 p.m. www.downtownfremontohio.org.
Sept. 12: Downtown Fremont Car Show Series, 5-8 p.m. Featuring vehicles of all kinds. www.facebook.com/DowntownFremontCarShow.
Sept. 12-13: Fremont Flea Market, Sandusky Co. Fairgrounds, Fremont. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. sanduskycountyfair.com.
Sept. 12–13: Pioneer Days, Historic Lyme Village, 5001 SR 4, Bellevue, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Entertainment, reenactments, tours of the John Wright Mansion, demonstrations, and a Wild West shootout at 2 p.m.
Sept. 13: Grandparents Day Celebration, Toledo Zoo. A celebration of grandparents at the Zoo. Free admission for grandparents when they visit with at least one grandchild. toledozoo.org/events.
Sept. 13: Spiegel Grove Squires and Sandusky County Raptors, lawn Behind the Hayes Home, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 1 p.m. rbhayes.org.
Sept. 13: 24th Hidden Garden Party, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 12955 W. Portage River S. Road, Elmore. 2-5 p.m. Tickets $125. schedel-gardens.org/calendar.
Sept. 15: Paramount Movie Nights: “Goosebumps,” Fremont Community Amphitheater, 209 South Arch St., 7:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy family-friendly Halloween fun with popcorn available by donation.
Sept. 15-20: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Louisville Bats, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo. milb.com/toledo.
Sept. 17: Brooks & Dunn – Neon Moon Tour, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. huntingtoncentertoledo.com.
Sept. 18: Fremont Speedway (410 Sprints Winged, Dirt Trucks), 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. Gates open at 4 p.m.; races start at 7 p.m. www.fremontohspeedway.com.
Sept. 18-20: Artomatic 419! Erie Street Market, 201 S. Erie St., Toledo. Event bringing together more than 100 artists for a one-of-a-kind celebration of creativity at Erie Street Market. theartscommision.org.
Sept. 19: Glass City Regatta, Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front St., Toledo, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Watch high school, college, and adult rowers racing on the Mighty Maumee for free. toledorowing.org/glasscity-regatta.
Sept. 19: 53rd Roche de Boeuf Festival, downtown Waterville. A family festival with crafts, food, business and non-profit vendors, carnival rides, a car show, live entertainment and more. watervillechamber.com.
Sept. 19: Fremont Pigeon Show & Shop, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, 8 a.m.. Free. 419-483-3484.
Sept. 19: History Roundtable: “Hidden History—Women Behind the American Revolution,” Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont, 10–11:30 a.m. Mike Gilbert shares the untold stories of Indigenous diplomats, enslaved women, privateers, spies and front-line patriots whose contributions reveal a more complex American Revolution. Sessions are $5 each or $25 for the six-part series. rbhayes.org.
Sept. 19: Croghan Colonial Bank Farmers Market, downtown Fremont, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Featuring 80+ vendors, one-of-a-kind items, produce, live entertainment and more. downtownfremontohio.org.
Sept. 19: Fremont Speedway (410 & 305 Sprints Winged), FriendShip Kitchen/All Pro Night - All Star Sprints Jim Ford Classic Finale, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. Gates open at 4 p.m.; races start at 7 p.m. www.fremontohspeedway.com.
Sept. 19-20: The Muddy Maumee Book and Art Festival, Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front St., Toledo. Two-day event that showcases and celebrates local artists. themuddymaumeefestival.com.
Sept. 19-20: Life in Early Ohio, Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Join the Old Northwest Military History Association and staff of Fort Meigs Historic Site for a weekend focusing on historic trade. fortmeigs.org.
Sept. 19-Oct. 31: Corn Maze at Wheeler Farms, 11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse. Explore the paths and enjoy an engaging outdoor autumn tradition. wheelerfarms.com/corn-maze.
Sept. 20: Glass Harvest, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. View a beautiful array of hand-blown glass pumpkins during the fifth annual Glass Harvest. toledomuseum.org.
Sept. 24: Authors! with Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan St., 7 p.m. Welsh-Huggins will discuss his latest suspense novel, “The Delivery.” toledolibrary.org.
Sept. 25: Maumee Film Festival, Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., 601 Conant St. 6 p.m. A celebration of the art of creativity, filmmaking and storytelling. www.maumeefilmfestival.com.
Sept. 25: Sip, Sip Hooray! Harvest Wine Fest, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, 6-9 p.m. Adults 21+ are invited to enjoy live entertainment and preview Harvest Fest displays while sampling a variety of wines across zoo grounds. This is a strolling event and seating will be limited. /www.toledozoo.org/events/wine-fest.
Sept. 25: A Paranormal Investigation, Sandusky County Historical Society, 514 Birchard Ave., Fremont, 8-11 p.m. An evening of mystery, folklore and paranormal exploration during a guided investigation of the Sandusky County Historical Society’s historic home led by the Ohio Researchers of Banded Spirits (ORBS). Snacks will be provided; guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages. Admission is $30 and due upon registration. Reservations are required by Saturday, Sept. 19, and no refunds will be issued after that date. Mail checks to 514 Birchard Ave., Fremont, OH 43420.
Sept. 25-26: Croghan Colonial Bank Farmers Market and Fremont Federal Credit Union Car Show, downtown Fremont, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Also, visit the Annual River of Arts Festival at the Fremont Community Amphitheater. Hours are Sept. 25, 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. downtownfremontohio.org.
Sept. 25-27: 43rd Luckey Fall Festival, Basic Park, located on Adams Street in Luckey between Krotzer Avenue (SR 582) and Gilbert Road. An old-time fall festival weekend with entertainment, craft and flea markets, antique tractor pulls and displays, apple-butter making and more. luckeyfallfestival.com.
Sept. 26: Run for the Refuge Community 5K and Family Fun Run, Ottawa national Wildlife Refuge, 14000 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor, 8 a.m. Register at www.runsignup.com/runfortherefuge.
Sept. 26: History Roundtable: “Hidden History—Men Behind the American Revolution,” Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 10-11:30 a.m. Mike Gilbert shares overlooked stories of minorities and working-class men whose contributions helped shape the Revolution despite facing unequal promises of liberty. Sessions are $5 each or $25 for the six-part series. Advance registration and payment required. rbhayes.org.
Sept. 26: 4th Hispanic Heritage Festival, Williams Park, 410 E. Stone St, Gibsonburg, 1-11:30 p.m. Join La Familia Mancha Entertainment, LLC in conjunction with the Village Of Gibsonburg for the fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, featuring live music acts, an array of food and merchandise vendors and other events throughout the day.
Sept. 26: Oktoberfest 2026, Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon, 2-10 p.m. Parade of German and European cars, food, beer, sporting competitions, entertainment and more. www.facebook.com/DeutscheVolkstanzGruppe.
Sept. 26: Fort Meigs After Dark Lantern Tours, Fort Meigs State Memorial, Perrysburg. Call for times. Tour the fort by lantern light. fortmeigs.org/lantern.
Sept. 26: Fremont Speedway (Stock Cars), Ash Automotive 500 Lap Enduro Gates, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. Gates open at 4 p.m.; races start at 7 p.m. www.fremontohspeedway.com.
Sept. 27: Fall Table Décor Program, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River S. Road, Elmore, 12:30-3 p.m. Sharon Weddell will instruct the class on how to make a fall scarecrow from a faux pumpkin, burlap, flowers and raffia. $40 includes all materials. www.schedel-gardens.org/calendar.
Sept. 27: Spiegel Grove Squires Home Game, lawn Behind the Hayes Home, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 1 p.m. The Squires will face the Akron Black Stockings in a vintage base ball game played according to Civil War-era customs and rules. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the game on the lawn. rbhayes.org.
For more events, be sure to visit presspublications.com, visittoledo.org, shoresandislands.com or sanduskycounty.org. Submit event information to twalro@presspublications.com.
