Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival

The 26th 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 8.  

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.

Directions to Lakeside & Construction Detours

Lakeside Chautauqua is located in Ohio on the Marblehead Peninsula, halfway between Toledo and Cleveland. To plan your visit, view directions and review information about the road construction at the intersection of SR 163, N. Shore Blvd., and Englebeck Rd.  

Alternative Route: From the Lakeside/Marblehead exit ramp on Route 2, veer to the right (Exit 125B) and follow S. Danbury Rd. to the stop sign. Turn left and head east onto E Bayshore Rd. Travel approximately 4 miles. Yield and keep left to continue on Hartshorn Rd. Continue straight onto S. Quarry Road. Turn right onto Route 163 E and travel about .5 miles until you reach the South Gate entrance to Lakeside Chautauqua. Turn left into the South Gate parking lot. 

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 2023 (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 2023 (one-day) Daily Chautauqua Pass, including one 2023 (one-day) Auto Pass. The Most Creative Design Overall winner will receive two 2023 (one-day) Daily Chautauqua Passes, including one 2023 (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.  

Family Yoga (all ages)
10-10:45 a.m. l Hoover Auditorium lawn on Walnut Avenue | Free
Bring a sibling, parent or friend and join us for some fun, interactive yoga poses and movements for all ages, as well as relaxing techniques to assist loved ones in finding a sense of calmness. Mats will be provided.  

Chair Yoga
10-11 a.m. | Wellness Center Drackett Hall | $10 drop-in fee (cash) or included in $90 Fall Wellness Class Pass
Join instructor Linda Green for a gentle form of yoga where all exercises are performed seated in a chair or standing using the chair to aid with support and balance. This class offers a variety of yoga poses, breathwork and relaxation techniques designed to leave you with a sense of well-being. To participate, pay the $10 drop-in class fee (cash) at the Wellness Center at the start of class or purchase a $90 Fall Wellness Class Pass at the Lakeside Chautauqua Administration Office, located at 236 Walnut Ave.   

Lakeside Heritage Society presents “Marblehead Lighthouse Builders & Keepers, 1822-1943 (all ages)
10-11 a.m. | Orchestra Hall | Free
Learn about the “Marblehead Lighthouse Builders & Keepers, 1821-1943” led by Lighthouse Historical Society Archivist Lorrie Halblaub. 

She will talk about the builders of the native limestone tower and the 16 light keepers, two of whom were women, and a few assistant keepers who tended the Marblehead beacon between 1822-1943. What is known about these individuals, what were their duties, and how were some of them connected with Lakeside? Halblaub is retired from her career as librarian for the Danbury School system and volunteer manager of the Ex Libris Bookstore in Marblehead. She enjoys sharing her vast knowledge of local Marblehead Peninsula history with youth and adults. 

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 | $2/person  
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 | $3.50/mini golf game (ages 5 & under are free); Free shuffleboard
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.  

Live Music: Tom Todd
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hoover Auditorium Porch | Free
Singer and multi-instrumentalist Tom Todd will perform an interactive family music program ranging from light rock, country and bluegrass, to blues and jazz. Todd plays a wide variety of instruments, including guitar, saxophone, flute, harmonica, ukulele, banjo, keyboard, trumpet, trombone and recorder. 

Canceled: Wooden Boat Rides on Amazing Grace
11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Dock
Due to high winds, Wooden Boat rides have been canceled for the day.

SmoothieSide Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
12 p.m. | SmoothieSide (208 W. Second St.)
This family-owned smoothie shop is now open in the heart of the business district, next door to the Whistle Stop. Order from a variety Lakeside-inspired smoothies – The Lakesider, Banana Mocha Bike Ride, Peachy Chai Pickleball, Pink Dragon Putt Putt, as well as seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple. Puppy Smoothies with bananas and peanut butter also available.

Live Music: Lance Horwedel
12-1 p.m. & 1:30-3 p.m. | Hoover Auditorium Porch | Free
Lance Horwedel will play acoustic rock music from the 1960s, 1970s and today. He has been playing music in North Central Ohio for nearly 30 years and is a Lakeside favorite.  

Children’s Arts & Crafts (ages 3-10, but all welcome)
12-2 p.m. l Rhein Center Outdoor Tents l $5 to create all 3 crafts 
Children will have the opportunity to create three different arts and crafts projects for a $5 fee.  

 – Scarecrow Paper Bag Puppet: Make art you can play with. Transform a standard brown paper bag into a scarecrow puppet by cutting and gluing fabric, paper, yarn and googly eyes to create a fun puppet.
– Pumpkin Watercolor Reveal Painting: Working on watercolor paper, draw a pumpkin with a white crayon, fill it in with squiggles, dots and lines and then make your drawing pop when you paint over it with watercolors, revealing all the designs.
 – Handprint Leaf Wreath: A truly personal craft, children will trace their hand several times onto construction paper in a variety of fall leaf colors then cut out, arrange and glue onto a paper plate. 

Dance Jam (all ages)
3-3:45 p.m. l Hoover Auditorium lawn on Walnut Avenue | Free
Let loose, groove to the beat and meet new friends. There will be a variety of repetitive choreographed movements from various music genres led by Hannah Fidler. 

Family Movie: “The Nightmare before Christmas”
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 & Saturday, Oct. 8 | Orchestra Hall | Suggested donation for admission
Orchestra Hall will feature “The Nightmare Before Christmas” over the weekend. Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween Town, but after so many years of the same spooky thing, he’s become bored of scaring. When Jack accidentally discovers Christmas Town, he hatches a crazy scheme to take over a new holiday for the year. Suggested donation for admission. (PG, 1h 16m)  

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) | $3/person, ages 6 & under free.
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. This year, ODNR will also lead a Fossil & Geology Walk from 12-4 p.m.

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. View hours of operation.

Lakeside United Methodist Church
The church will once again be selling apple dumplings in packages of two for $8. Order forms are available at the Lakeside United Methodist Church Office, located at 450 Central Ave., or call (419) 798-5119 to place an order. Pick up dumplings between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5-Friday, Oct. 7 and 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.  

Ward Catering
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wesley Lodge
Feast on soups, sandwiches, snacks and desserts, including chili and cornbread, New England clam chowder, shredded chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and chili cheese dogs, loaded pork nachos, nachos and cheese, apple dumplings and ice cream, and apple cider floats, as well as coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, bottled water and canned soft drinks. The meal is provided by Ward Catering and is organized by the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.  

Ward Catering Shrimp Boil
12-4 p.m. | Hotel Lakeside Dining Room/Hostess Stand
This to-go Shrimp Boil features peel & eat shrimp, mussels, redskin potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage in a seafood broth with a side of homemade focaccia bread. Order at the Hotel Lakeside Dining Room hostess stand. To-go boxes can be eaten in the courtyard.  

Calling All Volunteers 

Volunteers are needed from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on the day of the festival. Volunteer opportunities include children’s games, crafts and Open Studio at the Rhein Center. Click here to sign up.  

Staying Overnight?

Book a weekend escape to Lakeside! Limited rooms are available along the waterfront at historic Hotel Lakeside or the family-friendly Fountain Inn, both located a short walking distance from the festival’s activities.

To make a reservation, call (419) 798-4461, ext. 230 and ask for the ‘Lighthouse Festival Hotel Package.’ The Lighthouse Festival hotel package is $269 +tax for two nights on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8. Reservations include a hot breakfast buffet provided by the Hotel Lakeside Dining Room, early check-in at 1 p.m. and late check-out at 1 p.m.

Please note: $269 hotel package rate is before tax. A 25% deposit is due at booking; $50 cancellation fee if cancelled outside 72 hours. A deposit of 25% is forfeited if cancelled within 72 hours of arrival. No refunds, no exceptions, no exchanges, and no rain dates. Limited availability; and not available for booking after Oct. 6, 2022. Current reservations are transferrable for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 only. This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts, offers or special promotions.

Arts & Crafts Vendor Information

If you are interested in being a vendor for the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival on Oct. 8, please contact the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce at info@themarbleheadpeninsula.com or (419) 702-7492.