Fast, Faster & String of Pearls
Follow the design and development of some of the early Gold Cup racers and see how these contributed to successful rum-running during Prohibition.
Learn about the acquisition and restoration of a 1927 26-foot Dodge Watercar along with some surprising area connections and local characters.
The presentation will be on Tuesday, April 23rd at 7:00 pm in the Community Room (lower level) of the library. For more information call Sandy Neiding at 440-967-4190 or email [email protected].
Summer Concert Series
All concerts begin at 6 pm and are free to attend. Visit the parks for a truly unique experience of basking in nature while enjoying some lively tunes! The Summer Concert Series begins in June and continue through August..
3rd Thursdays In Vermilion
3rd Thursdays Music, Flowers & A Sunset offers free live music brought to you by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce in downtown Vermilion May through September on the third Thursday of the month. Stroll the sidewalks and browse the shops while listening to many wonderful genre’s of music from 5 pm to sunset.
Looking for something to do on a Thursday evening? Stroll through historic downtown Vermilion while being serenaded. Vermilion has become known throughout the region for its fabulous 3rd Thursday Music, Flowers & A Sunset concerts which take place May through September.
Experience the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze from Lake Erie as the beautiful flowers are in full bloom in Vermilion. There is an exciting array of free musical entertainment for you with well over a dozen bands scattered throughout Harbour Town. Many local musicians provide music for your listening enjoyment in several different locations, including rock, jazz, pop, country, oldies, ethnic, gospel and much more!
Do some shopping, grab something to eat or enjoy some great ice cream and be a part of this fantastic event each Third Thursday of the month. Third Thursday gets better each year. There’s plenty of parking, lots of flowers to enjoy, artwork to browse, and a sunset over Lake Erie that is sure to please.
Bring your family, friends, neighbors and visitors for a fun time. Then let’s all head to the beach for one of our beautiful sunsets!
Mark the third Thursdays on your calendar - May through September - for Vermilion's Third Thursdays. It is a celebration of music, flowers and a sunset in beautiful Vermilion, Ohio.
Brought to you by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (440) 967-4477, [email protected] or visit www.vermilionohio.com.
Grandma’s Attic Sale
Come out to see what amazing treasures you'll find! All proceeds benefit the restoration of the Brownhelm School.
BHA will be accepting donations of sale items starting Thursday, April 4th and throughout the following weeks from 9 am to 12 pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Items BHA will accept include antiques, jewelry, unique items, non-upholstered furniture, glassware, usable kitchen items, canning jars, men’s tools, gardening pots, etc. Items that will not be accepted are: bedding or actual beds, outdated electronic items, exercise equipment, stuffed animals, clothing or shoes, upholstered furniture, and used candles.
The Brownhelm Historical Association (aka BHA) was formed in March 1993 as an organization dedicated to preserving the rich history of the people, places and events of the area. Over the past 30 years the BHA has managed to reclaim and/or restore the Lost Cemetery on Lake Rd. in Vermilion, the German Reformed Church on Claus Road, and the Historic Brownhelm School and Museum on North Ridge Road. The group regularly puts on community events and historical programs. The BHA meets on the first Wednesday of each month except for January, July, and August.
Festival Of The Fish
On Friday young girls vie for the coveted title of guppy, princess, little miss and queen in one of the largest festival pageants in the county. Kids games take place at the gazebo. At noon the Midway opens with delicious foods and spectacular craft vendors. Don't miss the princess pageant and the Queens Pageant. Festival of the Fish Fireworks will take place on Friday at dusk (approximately 9:45 pm). The best place to watch is on Festival grounds by Victory Park or Main Street Beach. Fireworks will be launched off the detached break wall.
On Saturday the day kicks off with a 5 K run and a Sand Castle Contest at Main Street Beach. Crazy Craft Races and an Antique Wooden Boat Parade take place on the Vermilion River. The annual Lighted Boat Parade sails at dusk on the Vermilion River.
On Sunday, the annual Father’s Day Parade steps off in downtown Vermilion. Don’t miss the wet and wild firefighters water fight immediately following the parade.
Brought to you by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (440) 967-4477, [email protected] or visit www.vermilionohio.com.
Paddle Fest Poker Run
Early registration by June 9th is $20 per person, after that date it goes up to $25 per person. This is a non-alcoholic, fun family event. This year's theme is Tropical Island Getaway, dressing up is encouraged! Total participants limited to 100.
Check in begins at 8:30 am; choose your start time of either 9 am or 9:30 am. Try to carpool as parking is very limited. It is The Festival of the Fish weekend with lots going on.
HOW TO REGISTER:
Visit or Call - V.P.A. OFFICE: (440) 204-2474 (777 W River Road, Vermilion, OH)
EMAIL: [email protected]
The Port Authority accepts Visa, M/C, Discover, check, or cash. No refunds. The event will take place rain or shine.
Use this link for City Webpage/ Event Rules & Schedule: cityofvermilionohio.gov/Paddlefest-Poker-Run
-DAY OF EVENT-
Meet at the Vermilion Port Authority Kayak Launch, 777 W River Road, Vermilion, Ohio 30 minutes prior to your start time. You will need time to unload, park, and get your supplies before launching. Once launched, paddle the Vermilion River south to Route 2 and back stopping at 5 points to get a playing card. Prizes will be given for the Top Three Hands at the end of the event.
1st Prize - $100.00
2nd Prize - $75.00
3rd Prize - $50.00
Winners will be announced around noon, There will also be raffles and door prizes to announce/claim.
Location: The boat ramp is located on the west side of the Vermilion River, and is adjacent to the Water Pollution Control Center.
Directions from Rt. 6: On the west side of the bridge over the Vermilion River, by Vermilion Deli, turn south onto West River Road. Then in about ¼ mile at the stop sign, turn left (east) onto the Boat Ramp access road. Watch for oncoming traffic on West River Road from the south which does not stop and has the right of way.
Directions from Rt. 60: From the traffic light where State Rt. 60 intersects South Street, turn right (east) onto South Street and go east about ½ mile. Where South Street dead-ends at West River Road, there is a stop sign. At this intersection, watch for traffic coming from the right (south) which does not stop and has the right of way. Cross the street by making a jog to the left (north) onto West River Road, then immediately turn right onto the access road leading downhill to the river and Boat Ramp.
Vermilion In Bloom Gardener's Fair
Shop for flowers, herb and fairy garden kits, garden art, bird houses, local honey, candles, unique handmade items original jewelry, paintings, cards, soaps, fresh roasted coffee, driftwood creations, kitchen gadgets, candles, baked goods, hand sewn aprons, table runners, cotton and canvas creations, personalized cups and tumblers, children’s books and more!
For more information, visit www.mainstreetvermilion.org.
Live At The Lighthouse
Brought to you by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (440) 967-4477, email [email protected] or visit www.vermilionohio.com.
Vermilion Beach Market
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Sherod Park is just a few minutes west of charming downtown Vermilion. This expansive, 24-acre, lakeside park features green space, trees, a beach, walking trails, a playground and two picnic pavilions. The park overlooks breathtaking Lake Erie. Stay late to enjoy the sunset! Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.
he Vermilion Beach Market welcomes over 100 talented and inspiring vendors carefully curated for this annual event.
Community Art Show
An Artist Reception will be held at Ritter Library in downtown Vermilion on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 6 pm.
Download an application to participate.
Herb Fair
This spring event is the perfect time to shop for your gardens and homes as well as for unique, made-in-Ohio gifts for Mother’s Day, Graduation, and that special someone! Stick around and grab lunch from food vendors and tour the historic Bacon House Museum, which will be open for viewing. FREE admission and parking. No pre-registration is required..
Call VRR's Carriage Barn office at (440) 967-7310 for more information, and for a map of Vermilion River Reservation please visit: www.loraincountymetroparks.com/vermilion-river-reservation.
Read With Ritter
Ritter Public Library book discussion groups serve as a forum for readers to come together to talk about books and share the reading experience with others. It is a chance for the participant to have a voice and hear the voices of others.
Ritter Reads group is hosted at the library on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 pm and is a discussion based on sharing books you have read and to learn what others are reading. In a sense, it is readers’ advisory among participants.
Join Ritter Public Library to share what you are reading! Engage in open discussion about what you are enjoying (or maybe what you wish you would have liked better), what book you cannot stop thinking about, what character you have been inspired by, or what you have been driven to learn more about! Gather some new ideas for your next read, perhaps explore a new genre, connect with other readers and enjoy lively conversation.
Brewed Awakening Book Social
Copies of each month's book are available at Ritter Public Library's main desk to check out.
Brewed Awakening is located at 5485 Liberty Avenue in downtown Vermilion, Ohio.
3rd Tuesday Movies
Join Ritter Public Library every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm in the Community Engagement Room for a classic movie. Come, sit back, and enjoy a classic film! Ritter will provide the popcorn and the movie. Check the lineup at ritterpubliclibrary.org.
Ritter Public Library is located at 5680 Liberty Avenue in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. Call (440) 967-3798 for more information.
Genealogy Resource Group
Every month, the Genealogy Resource Sharing Group meets at Ritter Public Library in downtown Vermilion to discuss resources and share tips. Stuck in your family genealogy research? Come join the resource-sharing group and discover new ways to research your history and learn what has worked for others (or not worked so well). Bring resources and research you want to share with the group as everyone helps each other along.
Ritter Library is located at 5680 Liberty Avenue in downtown Vermilion. Visit ritterpubliclibrary.org for details. Call (440) 967-3798 for more information.
Shred Day In Vermilion
E&R Church will be collecting food and essentials to deliver to Vermilion Pantries.
Brownhelm Community Christmas
Brownhelm Community Christmas takes place December 24th, annually. Santas visit homes in Old Brownhelm delivering gifts, candy and fruit.
Old Brownhelm is the area originally served by the Brownhelm School before it was consolidated with Firelands Schools. Children under 10 receive a gift; those up to age 14 receive candy and fruit. Seniors citizens are gifted with a half-peck basket of fruit. Cards are sent out to everyone serving in the military. Anyone who might go without Christmas dinner discreetly receives food packages.
Letters are sent to Brownhelm Township families in November explaining the Community Christmas tradition with instructions on how to receive a Santa visit. The area is divided into routes; each route with a chairman to compile a list of each recipient’s name and age.
The Brownhelm Community Christmas Santa visits have become an integral part of the season for Brownhelm residents. Organizers rely solely on donations; they do not solicit businesses but local businesses donate fruit and solicit donations. Volunteers drive Santa from house to house, wrap gifts, assemble fruit baskets, pack candy into bags, and help the Santas get dressed on Christmas Eve.
For more information, visit www.brownhelm.org.
Annual Chocolate Festival
If you'd like to compete for the title, find an entry form at www.ritterpubliclibrary.org, or register in person at the library. Then prepare at least 4 dozen, sample-size servings and bring them - ready to serve - to the library at 5680 Liberty Avenue.
The Chocolate Festival is part of Vermilion's town-wide Ice-A-Fair, which features dozens of ice sculptures lining the streets downtown and ice carving demonstrations.
For additional information, visit www.ritterpubliclibrary.org.
Fire & Ice Walk
Vermilion River Reservation’s ‘Fire & Ice Walk’ event takes place January 20, 2024 from 11 am to 3 pm. With the beautiful Vermilion River Valley as your backdrop, take a wintry walk in nature amongst cool ice sculptures and warm firepits! Enjoy the sights and sounds of ice carving demonstrations, relax and roast S’mores (while supplies last).
Snowshoes will be available, weather permitting, for demonstration and walks on a first come, first served basis. Local food vendors will be selling lunchtime fare and the cozy and charming Carriage Barn will be open as an additional warming space.
Admission is $4.00 per person (children 3 and under free). This is a ticketed event, pre-registration is REQUIRED and can be done online at https://tinyurl.com/LCMPFireandIce. Please register (EACH person) by January 18th. For additional event information such as parking, and for questions, please contact the Carriage Barn at (440) 967-7310.
Ice A Fair In Vermilion
Experience a day of winter fun in downtown Vermilion with Ice A Fair on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Main Street Vermilion's Ice A Fair is the most popular one-day winter event that welcomes families, friends and neighbors to enjoy our Small Town on a Great Lake! You’ll find glistening, custom-carved sculptures throughout walkable downtown. Stop and take a selfie next to your favorites.
Watch the magic happen as artists transform blocks of ice into something spectacular during ice carving demos scheduled throughout the day in downtown Vermilion.
Our small business owners love Ice A Fair. Restaurants feature Ice A Fair specials including wintery cocktails and beers, chili and hearty menus that fit the occasion and season. Plan your visit with our handy list of Vermilion restaurants and shops at mainstreetvermilion.org.
The sky lights up when the sun goes down at Fire & Ice in the center of downtown, a traditional finale to the day’s events.. A giant, skillfully carved chimney of ice stands in the center of downtown. Will the fire that burns inside topple the ice, or will the melting ice douse the flames? Enjoy the suspense, beauty, and spectacular fire dancing performance all set to music for this amazing display.
For more information, visit mainstreetvermilion.org.