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, June 30 - July 4, 2011. Parade is Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. Fireworks July 4 at dusk.
Photo Credits: Karen Langford
LIGHTHOUSES
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
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.
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Fairport Harbor is celebrating its Bicentennial this year! The Bicentennial committee invites children, students, residents, organizations, businesses to become involved in the bicentennial celebration.
All Bicentennial events are free of charge, except there will be a charge for food at the Bicentennial Village Reunion on July 7.
Fairport Harbor churches will begin the bicentennial celebration with a mention (of history and citizens of Fairport) at the Ecumenical Prayer Unity Week.
January 15 - Inspirational House of Prayer
January 16 - St. Anthony's
January 17 - Congregational
January 18 - Hungarian Reform
January 19 - Zion Lutheran
January 30 - St. Michael's
FEBRUARY - APRIL
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Postcards representing Fairport history will be displayed at Fairport Public Library. Postcard collection is provided by Bill Branthoover and Linda Shetina Logan.
Saturday, February 18, 2012 - MASQUERADE MAGIC - "Bourbon Street Comes to Fairport"
7-11 p.m. at the
Hungarian Culture Club,
635 High Street
New Orleans Menu • Chinese Auction • DJ • Cash Bar
Tarot Card Readings • Rune Readings
*** Everyone will receive a Mask and Beads***
Tickets are $20 per person; a limited number of tickets will be sold.
Contact Pat at 440-358-9294, Sid at 440-417-4852 or Carol at the library for more information.
Spring Harbor History Series—Harding High School Auditorium –
7:00 p.m.
February 23, 2012
History of Fairport –Pat Spivak/Mike Scruggs/Bill Branthoover
March 22, 2012
The Schools—Tom Fazekas The Athletes—Mike Thomas
April 26, 2012
Mardi Gras History –Jim Cardina/Karen Langford
MAY
Saturday, May 12, 2012 - Village Birthday Party - Ball Diamond on East Street
11 a.m.
Fairport Baseball Game
2 p.m.
Birthday Celebration—will move to High School if weather is unfavorable.
National Anthem—Fairport Harding Band
Welcome and Introduction of Dignitaries: Mayor Tim Manross
Proclamations and Resolutions
Mike Scruggs-Master of Ceremonies
Program: Fairport’s Top 10 List
Schedule of Summer Events
Music selection presented by Fairport Band
Birthday Cake will be served.
12 - 5 p.m.
Bicentennial Postal Station—Fairport Public Library
A representative from the U.S. Post Office will be available to stamp
your envelope, postcards with the Official Postmark designed for the
Fairport Harbor Bicentennial. Mail to be stamped must have 1st class
postage attached.
Progressive Village Tour—3-day Memorial Day Weekend--Open Houses for residents and visitors with site docent.
Saturday, May 26
Day One of Progressive Tour
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fairport Marine Museum and Lighthouse
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Lake Metro Parks Fairport Beach Park Opening Day 2012 with demonstrations and a presentation on the History of
Fairport’s Huntington Beach
2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Fairport Schools Tour
Third Street School/Garfield School
220 Third Street
Plum Street School/McKinley School
602 Plum Street
Harding High School
329 Vine Street
(St Anthony’s School will be on Monday, May 28th with the
tour of the churches.)
Sunday, May 27
Day Two of Progressive Tour
Noon – 6 p.m.
Cultural/Heritage Tour
Exact schedule yet to be confirmed.
American Slovenian Club
Finnish Heritage Museum
Hungarian Culture Club
Monday, May 28
Day Three of Progressive Tour
8:00 a.m.
Zion Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
HISTORICAL TOUR OF VILLAGE CHURCHES
A 30/45 minute time allotment for each church.
St. Anthony’s Church
Zion Lutheran Church
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Hungarian Reformed Church
St. Michael’s Church
Congregational Church
Transportation will be provided between churches. Trolley driven by Verne Horton and Senior Center Bus driven by Jim Butsko will pickup participants starting at St. Anthony’s.
Fairport Historic Village Tour
4:00 p.m.
#1 Fairport Harbor Historic Walking Tour
6:00 p.m.
#2 Fairport Harbor Historic Walking Tour
Tour will depart from Fairport Village Hall.
The Bicentennial Committee is trying to arrange transportation for at least one if not both of the tours. The tour will be approximately 45 min.
We encourage the churches, organizations, businesses to join in planning something special during Memorial Weekend as we kick off the Summer Bicentennial Events
JUNE
Saturday, June 9 - Fairport Harbor Village Valuables Arts & Crafts Show
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at
Veterans Memorial Park, Third and Eagle Street
Exhibit space 12’ X 12’ $20; Double Space 23’ X 12’ $30. Contact Pat at 440-358-9294 or 216-509-6198, or
Wednesday, July 4 - Sunday, July 8 - 2012
Fairport Mardi Gras Celebration
Saturday, July 7, 2012 Bicentennial Village Reunion—Village Park
12 - 5 p.m.
The Bicentennial Committee invites all present and former residents as well as
friends of Fairport to join in celebrating our 200th Birthday.
Picnic foods will be available
Music
Fun for entire family
Bicentennial Art Contest/Show for Adults and Students
Surprises
Saturday, July 7, 2012--Bicentennial Boat Regetta—5 p.m.—on Grand River and Fairport Lakefront—Chairperson: John Ollila.
Sunday, July 15 - First Annual Heritage Run
First bike out at 10:30 a.m. Begins at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, ends at Fairport Harbor Veterans Memorial Park. $10 per person. Activities at the park include:
Flag Raising Ceremony • Veterans Memorial Park Cannon Rededication by Mayor Tim Manross • Ted Riser Band • Local Concessions and Vendors • Beer • Heritage Run T-Shirts and Patches for sale • Finnish Heritage Museum open for tours • Historic Fairport Harbor Lighthouse open for tours • All proceeds benefit the Fairport Harbor Veterans Memorial and Fairport Harbor Tourism Council
Tickets available at Fairport Harbor Village Hall and Western Reserve Harley Davidson. For more ticket info, contat Rcbuss5@mwweb.com, pam@morsevanlines.com, mayor@fairportharbor.org. For updated information follow us on Facebook.
Community Day—September 16 or 23, 2012—Sponsored by Fairport Men’s Civic Club
Bicentennial Committee will recognize:
First Bicentennial Baby Born in 2012
Oldest Fairport Resident
Greatest Things about Fairport
Fall Harbor History Series—Fairport Harding Auditorium—7 p.m.
August 23, 2012—“Do You Remember” (Businesses)—Mike Scruggs
September 27, 2012—Fairport Profiles—Dan Maxson, Lasse Hiltunen
October 25, 2012— Diamond Alkali History—Bill Branthoover
October 27, 2012--2012 Bicentennial Closing Ceremony and Time Capsule Dedication
Fairport Harding Auditorium—12 noon
Welcome by Mayor Tim Manross
Introduction of the Bicentennial Committee Chairs and Committee Members
Music by the Fairport Band and Choir
Village of Fairport Harbor
220 Third Street Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
Phone: (440) 352-3620 Fax: (440) 352-8872
First bike out at 10:30 a.m. Begins at Western Reserve Harley Davidson, ends at Fairport Harbor Veterans Memorial Park. $10 per person. Activities at the park include: