The 27th Annual Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival, always held on the second Saturday in October, will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on October 14.
This free, peninsula-wide event includes fun for the whole family: tours of the Marblehead Lighthouse and the Wolcott Keeper’s House, live entertainment, children’s games and crafts, a pumpkin-decorating contest, over 100 arts & crafts vendors, a farmers’ market, hayrides and much more in Lakeside Chautauqua and the Village of Marblehead. The Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival is organized by Lakeside Chautauqua and the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Admission, Parking & Shuttles
Admission and parking for the festival in Lakeside are free. For Lakeside activities, guests are encouraged to park in the South Gate Parking Lot off Route 163, near the Lakeside Schoolhouse along Seventh Street, the Bradley Temple parking lot on Cedar Avenue, and along streets that do not have designated parking. Parking at Hotel Lakeside and the Fountain Inn lots are reserved for hotel guests only. Guests will be provided with a special Parking Pass from the hotels to display on the dashboard of vehicles.
Complimentary golf cart shuttles will be available from the South Gate Parking Lot near the Welcome Center and throughout the Lakeside grounds. Shuttle stops are located at the Welcome Center, Lakeside Schoolhouse (Farmers’ Market), Sixth St. & Central Ave., Fifth St. & Central Ave., Third St. & Central Ave., Orchestra Hall, Hotel Lakeside and Fifth St. & Walnut Ave.
Pumpkin-Decorating Contest in Lakeside
Pumpkin Drop Off
9:30-11 a.m. | Hoover Auditorium Lobby | Free
Enter an already carved, painted or decorated pumpkin to receive a 2024 (one-game) miniature golf voucher. Prizes will be awarded to Best Child Design (ages 8 & under), Best Youth Design (ages 9-12), Best Teen Design (ages 13-17), Best Painted Design, Best Lakeside-Inspired Design, Best Design Using Pumpkin/Natural Materials and Best Use of Props. The Most Creative Design Overall will be chosen from the above categories.
Awards Presentation
1-1:30 p.m. | Outside Hoover Auditorium/Third Street Tent
View the Pumpkin-Decorating Contest entries displayed in front of Hoover Auditorium starting at 12:45 p.m. The winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
The child and youth winners will each receive two (one-game) miniature golf vouchers. Winners of the other categories will receive one 2024 (one-day) Daily Chautauqua Pass, including one 2024 (one-day) Auto Pass. The Most Creative Design Overall winner will receive two 2024 (one-day) Daily Chautauqua Passes, including one 2024 (one-day) Auto Pass. All pumpkin entries may be picked up after 2 p.m.
Festival Activities & Events in Lakeside
Arts & Crafts Vendors
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wesley Lodge, Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge & South Auditorium
Celebrate the arts at this one-day event featuring more than 100 arts & craft vendors in both indoor and outdoor marketplaces. Organized by the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. If you’re interested in being a vendor, contact the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce at info@themarbleheadpeninsula.com or (419) 702-7492.
Farmers’ Market
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Schoolhouse
Local farmers and bakers will sell fresh produce, honey, herbs, spices, flowers, seasonal fruit, homemade pies, jams, artisan breads and homemade baked goods.
Lakeside Chautauqua Administration Office Open
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 236 Walnut Ave.
The office will be open for questions and comments.
Lakeside Golf Cart Shuttle Service
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Chautauqua Grounds | Free
Complimentary golf cart shuttles will be provided throughout the Lakeside grounds. Shuttle stops: the Welcome Center, Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge, Third Street/Central Avenue, Orchestra Hall, Hotel Lakeside and Fifth Street/Walnut Avenue.
Games & Chalk the Walk (all ages)
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Hoover Auditorium lawn on Walnut Avenue | Free
All ages are welcome to participate in yard games, such as corn hole and an oversized Connect Four. Additionally, Lakeside welcomes all to create art using sidewalk chalk. The Lakeside Recreation Department will be selling vintage T-shirts and offer pop-up movement fun.
Archives & Heritage Hall Museum Open
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Archives | 210 Walnut Ave. | Free
10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Heritage Hall Museum | 238 Maple Ave. | Free
The unique history of Lakeside and Marblehead is preserved and exhibited in the museum. Displays include photographs, memorabilia and antiques. Scavenger hunts for children of all ages are available, followed by a stop at the treasure chest. The museum gift shop will also be open, and the Archives will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Lakeside Heritage Society will be selling popcorn at the corner of Walnut Ave. and Third St. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or until they sell out.
Hayrides
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Departs from Hotel Lakeside
Hayrides throughout Lakeside will be provided by the Bergman family of Bergman Orchards, a local farmers’ market vendor.
Miniature Golf & Shuffleboard
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bettinger Park
Enjoy a game of miniature golf ($3.50/game; ages 5 & under are free) at our lakefront course or play a free game of shuffleboard in Bettinger Park.
Children’s Arts & Crafts (ages 3-10, but all welcome)
12-2 p.m. l Rhein Center Outdoor Tents
Children will have the opportunity to create three different arts and crafts projects for a fee.
Community Worship Service
10:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 9 | Lakeside United Methodist Church (450 Central Ave.)
Led by the Rev. Karen Graham and organized by the Lakeside United Methodist Church (UMC), this service offers a vibrant style of worship using inspirational song and motivational words. All are invited to attend.
Festival Activities & Events in Marblehead
Marblehead Lighthouse Tours
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Marblehead Lighthouse State Park (110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead)
The onsite Keeper’s House, Lifesaving Station, Gift Shop and Marblehead Lighthouse will be open during the festival. Tours of the 200-year-old Marblehead Lighthouse are available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for $3/person (cash only); children ages 6 & under are free. The Marblehead Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes and the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. A total of 15 keepers have tended the light. The tower’s history boasts the first female lighthouse keeper in the U.S., Rachel Miller Wolcott.
Wolcott Keeper’s House Tours & Civil War Encampment
11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Keeper’s House (999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead)
The Ottawa County Historical Society presents a Civil War era camp, presented by members of the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment Band will give hourly performances of period military music.
Docents will provide tours of the historic house that once belonged to Benajah Wolcott, first keeper of the Lighthouse. Period fare, including hot bean soup and cornbread, will be available as well as hearth-cooking demonstrations.
The Wolcott House is one of the oldest surviving homes in Ottawa County and a home to the first three Marblehead Lighthouse keepers. The Ottawa County Historical Society will offer free docent-guided tours on the day of the festival, as well as have Ohio 14th Volunteer Infantry (OVI) re-enactors and the 73rd OVI Regiment Band onsite. The gift shop and museum will be open.
Shopping & Dining
Businesses will be open throughout Lakeside and Marblehead, offering sales and specials. In addition to local restaurants being open, food will be served at various locations in Lakeside.
Visit restaurants, shops, services and additional lodging locations in Lakeside, including Coffee & Cream, Farmers’ Market, Patio (serving donuts from carryout window), Slack House Historic Café, Sloopy’s, SmoothieSide, The Kite Shop, Miss Mercedes, The Fine Print Bookstore, Heritage Hall Museum & Gift Shop, Marilyn’s, Marilyn’s Two, Wise Woman Boutique, World Next Door, and the Art Gallery in the Fountain Inn, Lakeside Heritage Society Archives, Lakeside Salon & Spa, Sypherd’s Cycles, Evening Song Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Idlewyld Bed & Breakfast, Maxwell’s Hospitality House, Rainbow Guest House & Tea Room, and Same Time Next Year.
Arts & Crafts Vendor Information
If you are interested in being a vendor for the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival on Oct. 14, please contact the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce at info@themarbleheadpeninsula.com or (419) 702-7492.
