PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (WTVG) – Lake Erie Awareness Day is a day that aims to bring appreciation to our local great lake. The yearly event takes place on South Bass Island in Put-in-Bay. This year, the event is on Aug. 6 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The day started back in 2021 and has grown over the years. Now, it brings several hundred visitors to the island.
It first started as an event raising awareness about the plastic in Lake Erie.
“Based on some feedback from people attending, they said, ‘Well we want to learn more. It was very interesting to learn about the plastics in Lake Erie, but we want to learn about island geology, we want to learn about maritime history, we want to learn about the fish,’” said Jill Bartolotta, an organizer of the celebration and an Ohio State Education Specialist for the Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory.
Lake Erie Awareness Day is a part of Island Green Week, a series of events happening all week long on the Lake Erie Islands orchestrated by Lake Erie Island’s Nature and Wildlife Center.
This year, organizers incorporated more hands-on activities, such as kayaking and catching the island’s own native water snakes.
“Participants can learn about the snakes and see the science being done. If they are feeling brave, they can help catch some snakes,” said Emily Rugg, who is also an organizer of the event and a Wildlife Communications Specialist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
There will be six different stations at six locations around the island focusing on the topics of island history, water quality and conservation, boating safety, native fish, birds and animals. Participants will also learn about the plastics in Lake Erie and ways of reducing them in practical ways.
Station locationsPerry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, 255 Meechen Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)South Bass Island State Park, 1523 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)Aquatic Visitor Center, 360 W Shore Blvd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)Duff Woods Preserve, 913-999 Mitchell Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)The South Bass Island Lighthouse, 2368 Langram Road, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 (map)Event information
When: Thursday Aug. 6, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Put-in-Bay, OH, 43456
Contact: Jill Bartolotta (bartolotta.2@osu.edu)
Cost: *Free, funded by Ohio Sea Grant
*Note: This is a free event, but transportation to and from the island will need to be arranged. Transportation around the island will also need to be arranged. Click here to find out more information about transportation options.
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