Lake County will once again highlight its lakeshore with the return of the Lake Erie Sand Sculpture Tour.<\/p>\n
The second annual tour will feature two artists creating five sculptures across five local lakefront parks.<\/p>\n
Following the overwhelming success of last year\u2019s tour \u2014 which attracted nearly 25,000 visitors to see four sculptures \u2014 this year\u2019s event has been expanded to include three new parks and a second sand sculptor.<\/p>\n
Northeast Ohio native Carl Jara<\/a>, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning sand sculptor, is back in 2026.<\/p>\n He will be joined by award-winning artist Greg J. Grady<\/a>, who will create a sculpture of his own and assist Jara with an extra-large sculpture at Headlands Beach State Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to visit these locations during the specified dates to watch the sculptures being created and engage with the artists.<\/p>\n Initial sculpture work is scheduled to begin on June 24, with additional dates (subject to change) for each sculpture as follows:<\/p>\n \u2022 Lakefront Lodge<\/a> \u2013 Willowick, built by Jara, June 24-26<\/p>\n \u2022 Bill Stanton Community Park<\/a> \u2013 Madison Township, built by Jara, June 28-30<\/p>\n \u2022 Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park<\/a>, built by Jara, July 2, 3 and 5<\/p>\n \u2022 Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina<\/a>, built by Grady, July 7-9<\/p>\n \u2022 Headlands \u2013 Mentor, built by both artists, July 9-11<\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to visit these locations during these dates to watch the sculptures being created and speak with the artists.<\/p>\n The tour will conclude with special activities at all locations July 11.<\/p>\n Staff from Tour Lake County will be on-site at all five locations \u2014 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakefront Lodge and Bill Stanton, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fairport Harbor, Lagoons and Headlands \u2014 providing limited-edition, event-specific commemorative stickers, sunglasses and other swag, including buckets for children at both Headlands and Fairport to create their own sand sculptures, while supplies last.<\/p>\n Jara said he is excited for the event\u2019s return.<\/p>\n \u201cI am (also) humbled by the success of last year\u2019s sand sculpture tour and honored to have taken such a role,\u201d he added. \u201cWith the support of our local communities, I know this year\u2019s event will be even better.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease come out and visit us \u2014 we\u2019re here because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n Tour Lake County Executive Director Neil Stein noted that several parks will host additional events throughout the weekends, providing locals and visitors with numerous entertainment options.<\/p>\n Tunes at the Lagoons<\/a> will take place at Mentor Lagoons from 6 to 9 p.m. July 10, featuring the band Abbey Rodeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n On July 11, folks visiting Fairport Harbor can stop by Reggae in the Harbor<\/a>, which features live music from 1 to 11 p.m., and numerous vendors and food trucks.<\/p>\n People at Bill Stanton Park, July 9 -12, will see the Regatta Classic Dog Show<\/a>, featuring thousands of show dogs from across the country. Overflow parking, if necessary, will be available at Rabbit Run Theater<\/a>.<\/p>\n On July 11, Lake Side Mystic<\/a> will take place at Headlands from noon to 4 p.m., featuring numerous artisans, vendors, food trucks, and live music.<\/p>\n Along with Tour Lake County, the artwork is commissioned with support from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources<\/a>, Madison Township, Mentor, Willowick and Lake Metroparks<\/a>.<\/p>\n