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Fall & Winter Events
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FALL EVENTS
Fun and festivities are celebrated throughout the year in Vermilion, Ohio. When the boats gets taken in, the lights and decorations come out. From fabulous Fall activities, to grand Winter celebrations, every season is "In Season" in Vermilion.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL WATCH
As Autumn approaches in Vermilion, localsand visitors gather each year on September 16 in downtown for the Great Black-Backed Gull Watch. With its distinguished black and white plumage, a gull in formal dress sets this bird off from the rest of the gulls found around Lake Erie. If the striking attire is not enough, it is also set apart by being the largest gull found on the Lake. The Great Black-backed Gull or, more simply, the Great Black Back, is the largest gull in the world with a wing span approaching 5 feet!
NORTHCOAST TOUR DE STITCH
Attention Needlearts Enthusiasts! The NorthCoast Tour de Stitch begins Friday, October 5th through Sunday, October 14th. This Norhtern Ohio Shop-Hop is in its 6th year. Tickets are availble in September and during the Tour. The NorthCoast Tour de Stitch is a unique "shop-hop" across Northern Ohio featuring the finest quality needlework shops. Trunk shows, gifts and drawings for gift baskets will be at each shop. Tickets go on sale September 1st. Contact River Bend Stitchery, 5493 Liberty Ave. Vermilion, 440-963-0383, www.riverbendstitchery.com for more info.
HAUNTED SCHOOLYARD
It's a ghostly affair each year from
September 25th to October 30th
at Vermilion's own Haunted
Schoolyard. Located at 993 State
Street, this is one thrilling
adventure that's sure to "haunt"
you with lasting memories.
WOOLLYBEAR FESTIVAL
Early Fall also celebrates
the largest festival in Ohio
with Vermilion's Woollybear
and Queen Pageants, food,
crafts, entertainment, cele-
brities and the largest
parade in the state,
Woollybear has become a legend throughout the area bringing over 150,000 visitors.
WINTER EVENTS
Winter is especially beautiful in the charming town of Vermilion. Whether you're keeping warm in our unique boutiques and restaurants, or enjoying the white powder and ice with cross\country skiing and snowmobiles, make Vermilion your Winter Wonderland.
Christmas events are celebrated each weekend from late November through December.
HARBOUR TOWN CHRISTMAS WALK
November 23 - 25. Tour the historic
downtown by horse-drawn trolley
from noon – 5 pm. Visit the fine
shops, restaurants and businesses.
Santa arrives at Exchange Park by
icebreaker at 11 am on Saturday.
Experience the lovely Christmas
Tree Lighting Ceremony at the
Gazebo in Victory Park on Saturday
at 7 pm. Visit Santa in his house in
Exchange Park, 11 am – 3 pm on
Saturday, November 24, December 1 and December 8.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FUN FAIR
November 23 -24. Multiple artisans teach hands on crafting of traditional holiday decorations at the Ritter Public Library Annex from 11 am to 5 pm.
OPERATION TWINKLE
November through January - Operation Twinkle lights up Vermilion's holiday season with festive lights and animated decorations. The parks will be decorated with a nostalgic collection of figures inspired by historic Christmas light decorations of the 1950's. New displays added each year.
WINTER ART EXHIBIT
The Arts Guild of Vermilion an art exhibit with the work of Vermilion area artists beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The exciting event of the Arts Guild will feature works for sale in time for holiday gift giving, begining on the start of the Annual Harbour Town 1837 Christmas Walk. It will include a variety of locally crafted media. Stained glass, jewelry, ships models, paintings, photography, wood carvings, ceramics, fiber art, cards and paper goods are all expected to be featured.
The show and sale will be held at the new headquarters of Historic Vermilion, Inc. located at 685 Main Street in historic Harbour Town. The exhibit will be open each weekend beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving and continuing through Sunday, December 17.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE SHIP
December 1 - Go back
in time to watch as the
legendary Christmas
Tree Ship enters the
Vermilion harbor on
at 11 am. This is a
nautical tradition from
long ago when ships
brought the Christmas
the family Christmas
tree. A reenactment of the 1887 fishing schooner will carry trees ashore available for purchase. Community bands, caroling, lunch with Santa and more will provide fun for the entire family throughout the day.
THE CHRISMTAS TREE SHIP is a story of faith, hope, and love about Captain Herman, affectionately known as "Captain Santa", and his yearly voyage from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago with a load of freshly cut Christmas trees. Families would wait anxiously at the docks for their choice of the best of the trees. Captain Schuenemann's voyage of 1912 was to be his last. Fully loaded and ready to sail his crew set out for it final destination on the southern end of Lake Michigan. Despite the crew's best efforts, the ship was unable to withstand the gales of the Great Lakes and went down off the coast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. This Christmas classic features the artwork of Charles Vickery.
TREE OF REMEMBRANCE
December 3 - This beautiful and poignant Vermilion tradition, a memorial to loved ones, takes place at the Gazebo in Victory Park at 1 pm.
12 SHOPS OF CHRISTMAS
December 7 - 9 - Don't miss the 12 Shops of Christmas retail excursion. Retrieve your cards at local merchants, visit 12 shops, and turn in your card to enter your name for a chance to win fabulous prizes.
VERMILION SHOPPER'S EXTRAVAGANZA
December 22 - 23. Don't miss the best sales of the season for all your last minute holiday shopping needs. Participating shops throughout Greater Vermilion offer fantastic bargains with sales and events.
OLD FASHION HOLIDAY
Mill Hollow's Old Fashion
Holiday, Sun.: 4 pm to 8
pm, Mon.: 2 pm to 6 pm at
Vermilion River Reser-
vation/Mill Hollow Metro
Park. Step Back in Time
for Christmas – 1864
Reenactor. A wonderful
family learning experience. A wintry sight with the high shale cliffs and the low current of the Vermilion River. This was the site where the horses and covered wagons crossed the river to settle within the Firelands Area.
The Benjamin Bacon family cordially invites you to Christmas in 1864 at the Vermilion River Reservation on December 2 4-8 pm and 3 2-6 pm, 2006. Guests will be able to intermingle with re enactors as they enjoy the sights, sounds, and fragrances of Christmas in 1864.
In addition to touring the Bacon Museum, horse-drawn carriage rides, refreshments, and entertainment will also be available. All ages are welcome to attend and admission is free. The Bacon family and friends hope to see you then!
Mill Hollow’s Old Fashioned Holiday is located at the Vermilion River Reservation at 51211 North Ridge Road, between Vermilion Road and Gore Orphanage Road just south of the city of Vermilion. For more information call 1-800-LCM-PARK or 440-967-7310.
