Finnish Heritage Group Tours The Finnish Heritage Museum gallery has changing exhibits throughout the year telling the story of Finnish heritage and various cultural traditions by displaying artifacts and providing information relating to this important history. Arriving here in the mid to late 1800's, Finns brought with them their customs, work ethic, religious and moral beliefs. Tour the museum gallery and hall of fame and experience a Finnish Coffee Table. More
Fairport Harbor Motor Coach Tours
The Fairport Harbor Tourism Council offers step-on guide service for your motor coach tour with a Historical Tour of the Village of Fairport Harbor. Enjoy our two lighthouses, museums, and one of Lake Erie's best beaches where one can swim, kayak, play sand volleyball, picnic and more. More
Fairport Harbor Tourism Guide
Fairport Harbor may be the last great jewel left untarnished on the crown of Lake Erie's best places. Our tourism guide contains information on our attractions, museums, parks and annual events. A pdf is downloadable from this site. More
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse & Marine Museum
The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum is the first Great Lakes lighthouse marine museum in the state of Ohio, as well as in the United States. It was founded in 1945 by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society, which is devoted to preserving and perpetuating the historic tradition and sentiment in Fairport Harbor and the Great Lakes area. More
Swim, kayak & picnic at a Lake Erie beach. Parking pass available. Park is open year-round from daylight to 1/2 hour after sunset. Lifeguard on duty and concession stand open June thru Labor Day, weather permitting. Click here for more information.
Some of the Lake Metroparks activities are:
Adventure Camp for kids
Sailing Camp
Boat Camp
Kayak Rentals - Call (440) 639-9972 for availability
Rubber-Band Airplane Fly-In
Pirate Triathlon/Kayak Triathlon Spirit of American Youth Boating Education Program
FAIRPORT MARDI GRAS
Come and have fun with us at Fairport Mardi Gras!
P.O. Box 1118
Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
(440) 352-0806,
Rides, games, food and fireworks at the beach on Fourth of July weekend. Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. Open noon to 11 p.m. daily, Wednesday, July 4 through Sunday, July 8, 2012. Parade is Thursday, July 5 at 7 p.m. Fireworks July 8 at dusk.
Thursday - July 5 - Parade
Friday - July 6 - Senior Citizen Day
Saturday - July 7 - Mardi Gras 5K and Kid's Day
Sunday - July 8 - Fireworks
Fresnel Lense
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
West Breakwater Lighthouse
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
Fairport Harbor Historical Society Marine Museum and Lighthouse Tower www.fairportlighthouse.com
129 Second Street, Fairport Harbor
(440) 354-4825
Located at the mouth of the Grand River, the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum is the first Great Lakes Lighthouse Marine Museum in Ohio and in the United States. A spiral staircase leads to the top of the 60-foot sandstone lighthouse, built in 1871. The adjacent museum features lighthouse lenses, relics from Native American settlements along the Grand River, and artifacts pertaining to life
on the Great Lakes. Gift shop. Admission charge. Special tours by appointment. Museum Hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Legal Holiday , 1-6 p.m. Open from the Saturday before Memorial Day through the third weekend in September.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse
Best viewed from Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park or the Fairport Harbor Port Authority at the end of Water Street. Parking fee. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes to walk the rocky breakwall, weather permitting. Lighthouse is not open to the public.
FINNISH HERITAGE MUSEUM
Finnish Heritage Museum
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
In 1885 a group of 25 Finns arrived in Fairport and founded the first permanent Finnish settlement. By 1900 the number of foreign-born Finns in Fairport came to 700. To this day, Fairport’s population has a strong Finnish heritage. The museum has rotating exhibits and a coffee/gift shop, featuring private-label coffee and nisu, Finnish coffee bread flavored with cardamon. Admission charge. Group tours available; call to arrange day and time.
Museum Hours:
Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Memorial Day through mid-November,
Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Memorial day through mid-December.
WALKING TOUR
Historical Walking Tour of Fairport Harbor
(440) 358-9294
Learn about the history of the village, the Indians, the pioneers and early settlers, the Underground Railroad, landmarks, buildings, businesses and legends. Tours depart at 2 p.m. each Saturday from the Finnish Heritage Museum, Memorial Day through September. Donations accepted. Group tours by appointment (minimum charge $50).
SHOPPING
Finnish Treasures Gift Shop
316 High Street
Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
(440) 478-5485
A unique shopping experience! Imports from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia. Beautiful Littala glassware, handmade wall hangings, rugs, Kalevala Koru jewelry, Finnish knives, linens, imported coffee, foods and nisu, dolls, books, music, vases, candlesticks, handcrafts and more. Open noon daily, closed on Mondays.
OTHER RESOURCES
Fairport Harbor Tourism Council (440) 352-3620 ext. 9
Lake County Visitors Bureau
Find other local points of interest and helpful information at www.lakevisit.com.
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
Fairport Harbor is a stop on the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, a 293-mile national scenic byway from Conneaut to Toledo. This signed route links historical museums, natural areas and other places to explore the rich history, charm and beauty of our Great Lake.
2013 EVENTS
FEB 9 6-10 p.m. Masquerade Magic: Mardi Gras Masks welcome! Silent auction, chinese auction, buffet dinner, cash bar and more at the Hungarian Culture Club. $30pp. Event registration & info...
Grand Prize drawing
July 7 drawings are shortly after fireworks • Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 • 1st Prize: $1,000 • 2nd prize: Kalahari Family 4 Package • 3rd prize: 55" T.V.
4th Prize: X-Box Bundle Package • Daily drawing of $50
2013 Parade - Wednesday, July 3, 7 p.m.
Line the streets of Fairport to view the largest parade in Lake County. Bring your family and friends to watch the Grand Marshall and Fairport Harding High school band lead the parade. The parade begins at 7 p.m. and will process down parts of the following streets. (Third, Vine, Seventh, and Eagle) - Parade participants will lineup at the staging area - Entrance at Sixth and East Street. Interested in being in the parade, see the Parade Form tab.
Senior Day Event 2013 - Friday, July 5, 1 - 5 p.m. Seniors Age 55 and up - Join in the fun at the Fairport Mardi Gras - Friday, July 5, 2013.
1 – 5 p.m. on the Amphitheatre. Entrance into the park is FREE to Senior Citizens attending the Senior Day Event. There is parking and a shuttle bus from Fairport Senior Center to the festival during this event only for free. Or you can enter from Water Street, and park in the designated area at the Fairport Port Authority for a small fee.
Live Entertainment - Friday, July 5, 7 - 9 p.m.
Live music with Crystal Ball, A Tribute to Ritchie Blackmore’s Blackmore’s Night. A Mystical Blend of Renaissance, Folk, and Rock music at the amphitheater.
Fireworks Show # 1 - Friday, July 5 @ dusk
Due to the weather last year we were unable to have fireworks. So we will have two this year!
2013 5K Race & 2 Mile Walk - Saturday, July 6, 8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. (New time this year).
5K race & 2 mile walk will return again this year supported by the Riverside Flying R booster club (registration form). You can visit the Greater Cleveland XC website to find more information and to see race results. Participants of all ages and groups are encouraged to get fit and join in the race! Prizes awarded...
Kids Day Event 2013 - Saturday, July 6, 1 - 5 p.m. Children of all ages - Join in the fun at the Fairport Mardi Gras - Saturday, July 6, 2013
1 - 5 p.m. on the Midway • RICHARDSON SPECIAL $5 - Hot dog, fry and drink • Ride Special - $8 wristbands sold 1 - 5 p.m. • Contests • Prizes • Face Painting • Arts and Crafts • Watermelon Eating Contest - Prizes awarded!
Live Entertainment in the Beer Garden
Saturday, July 6, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Come listen to acoustics with Crystal Ball, A Tribute to Ritchie Blackmore’s Blackmore’s Night. A Mystical blend of Renaissance, Folk, and Rock music in the beer garden.
Fireworks Show # 2 - Sunday, July 7 @ dusk
Grab a blanket and a spot on the beach and enjoy our annual fireworks show!
Village of Fairport Harbor
220 Third Street Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
Phone: (440) 352-3620 Fax: (440) 352-8872
