What to DoAnnual Events

Photo of a pirate statue with Buckeye Lake in the background

May

Pirate Fest

Travel to the lake for the first-ever Pirate Fest! Stop by the Harbor Community Center for a vendor show and activities for families. There, they will be handing out treasure maps with the location of hidden treasure chests around the lake.

Stay tuned for more details and follow this event on the Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest Facebook page.

Two men overlook a classic wooden boat on the lake.

June

Wine & Woodies Antique & Classic Boat Show

Held at the Buckeye Lake Winery, this event is completely free to spectate and enjoy – with free parking. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy delicious wine, stunning lake views, and cool boats!

 

Photo of a boat on Buckeye Lake decorated for the 4th of July.

July

4th of July Boat Parade

Residents and visitors alike celebrate Independence Day each year with a fun, patriotic boat parade!  Decorated boats depart from Liebs Island and make their way along the North shore, through Cranberry Bay, past Harbor Hills and end at Papa Boo’s. Prizes are awarded based on a different theme each year. Come out and enjoy the red, white, and blue parade and spend a day on the water.

Follow the Buckeye Lake Area Civic Association website for more information.

This event is generally held on the 4th of July unless it lands on a Sunday.

Photo of fireworks being let off looking out across Buckeye Lake.

July

Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST)

Watch the beautiful Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST) fireworks display over Buckeye Lake from the water or on the shore!

Follow the BLASST Facebook page for more information.

Kayaks going through a lake.

August

Buckeye Lake Pub Paddle

The Buckeye Lake Pub Paddle is an annual bar crawl via watercraft that supports our local Buckeye Lake businesses while still having a lot of fun!

Follow the Buckeye Lake Pub Paddle Facebook page for more information.

Homes on an island in the middle of lake with sun setting behind them.

August

Buckeye Lake Tour of Homes

Relax on this one-hour pontoon boat ride visiting the beautiful homes and islands at Buckeye Lake and view the unique and eye-catching houses that line the shoreline!  This event is held the first Sunday in August.

Follow the Buckeye Lake Area Civic Association website and Facebook for more information.

Competitors bicycling beside lake.

August

Tour de Buckeye Lake

Bike for a benefit!  Join the Tour de Buckeye Lake for their annual ride and help fundraise for trail development, safety, and bikes for underprivileged children – now with 3 different route options, a beer garden, live music entertainment, and more food options than ever!

Learn more and register for this event here.

Aerial shot of festival rides and vendors at night.

August

Millersport Sweet Corn Festival

Get ready for this fun festival that you’re sure to find ear-resistable! Bring your family and friends to discover over 20 rides and games, tractor pulls, and parade. Compete in the fun contests held throughout the week and enjoy a myriad of corn-based and flavored food options, including ice cream! Learn more at sweetcornfest.com.

This event is held the last weekend in August.

 

Cauldrons of soup over a fire in the woods with vendors in the background.

September

Backwoods Festival

Kick off the fall season with one of the largest festivals around the lake, The Backwoods Fest! With over 300 vendors, more than 30 different kinds of food, and 3 days of bluegrass music in Thornville, this event near Buckeye Lake is fun for everyone.

Held rain or shine during the third weekend in September, learn more on their website or Facebook page.

A crowd stands on a frozen lake.

January

Winterfest & Polar Plunge

One of the biggest parties of the year at Buckeye Lake,  join Benny the Bass before the sun rises to see if he “takes the bait” and predicts an early spring or refuses, which means 6 more weeks of winter!

Regardless, celebrate Winterfest with fireworks, activities around the lake, live music, art shows, food and drink specials, food trucks, and more – held every year on the last Saturday in January.

Stick around for Sunday’s Polar Plunge at the Buckeye Lake Winery, as participants jump into the freezing cold water of the lake to help raise money for charity.