News & Feature Articles Written About People & Places in Lake County, Ohio            

Just 30 minutes east of Cleveland is a hidden gem. It’s Lake County and it offers great summertime events and relaxing destinations where you can enjoy nature, the arts, unique dining, and much more.

Tell me about some of the exciting events that are coming up in Lake County.
Robert Ulas, executive director, Lake County Visitors Bureau: From June 30 to July 4, we have the Fairport Harbor Mardi Gras at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. It’s an outdoor event on the lake that features carnival rides, entertainment, and a grand parade.
You won’t want to miss Gnomes in the Garden at Holden Arboretum, which runs until September 25. There are custom-painted gnomes throughout the arboretum and gardens, and they add a fun and festive element to a leisure walk.Lake County Metroparks has a Nature of Art Program that runs through September. It has an artist that performs music in collaboration with print naturescapes in an outdoor park facility.
Rabbit Run Theater in Madison is one of the few outdoor barn theaters left. They actually open up the sides of the barn so that you get the breeze from the lake while you watch the show. It’s very high-caliber with professional performers and great sound and settings. It’s really a unique experience. July 1 to 9, the theater is doing Urinetown. There’s also a host of other productions scheduled.July 8 to 10, families will enjoy the Gathering of Eagles Air Show at Lost Nation Airport. It draws a lot of World War II planes.
July 23 and 24 is Pirate’s Weekend in Fairport Harbor. Dress in your favorite pirate’s attire and join in the fun.
Our biggest event is Vintage Ohio August 5 and 6 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Sample some great wines and pair them with your favorite appetizers.
On August 10, Mentor will hold the Take Pride in America U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Concert at Mentor High School Stadium. The event draws about 10,000 people annually.
You definitely don’t want to miss the Lake County Fair August 16 to 21 or Art in the Park in Downtown Painesville on August 20. Downtown Painesville is really a quaint little town, and there will be tents with arts-and-crafts vendors.
If you’re a bocce ball enthusiast, make plans to attend the Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce August 26 to 28. Bocce players from all over the country come in for the event.
What is the goal of the Lake County Visitors Bureau?
Bob: We want Lake County to be a destination spot for visitors. It’s also a great choice for businesses that are looking for a quieter, bucolic spot for meetings. Most of our major wineries, as well as Holden Arboretum and Moreland Mansion, have great private meeting rooms. We have the largest winery region in Ohio. Our tagline is, “Get Away to Lake County, Lake Erie East’s Coastal Getaway Oasis.”
Tell me about some of the other reasons to visit Lake County.
Bob: We have great bed and breakfasts in Madison and Willoughby, as well as a Frank Lloyd Wright rental vacation home in Willoughby Hills. There are only three of these homes in the world.
We have major resorts like Quail Hollow that offer world-class golfing. And don’t forget about the Lake County Captains for an intimate evening of minor league play.
After your game of golf or an evening at the ballpark, enjoy great waterfront dining at Pickle Bills and other destinations.
Enjoy a charter fishing excursion. People don’t realize that the fish migrate from the islands to our deeper waters in the summer. So we have great fishing in the summertime, which includes perch and steelhead trout. You can fish our rivers or troll the lake. Charters go out of Chagrin River, Grand River, Mentor, and Fairport Harbor.
Relax at one of our many beaches. Headlands State Beach Park is the largest beach in Ohio. Mentor Headlands Lagoon is near Mentor Headlands and is a 450-acre nature preserve. It features great pathways for birding and ends at a rustic beach on the lake. In fact, Mentor was named the number one birding spot in the country. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park also has a wonderful beach. You can pull up and the beach is right there.
We also have a large nursery and orchard district.

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