Ohio Department of Natural Resources to Host Lakeside July 4 Festival

As the oldest continuously operating beacon on the Great Lakes, Marblehead Lighthouse is not as old as the United States, but it’s been helping ships navigate the rocky shoreline of Lake Erie since 1822. 

It guided sailors long before Orville and Wilbur Wright took flight and is still doing so decades after Ohioan Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. The 65-foot limestone tower also played a critical role in national defense over the years, particularly during WWII when it was a key point for monitoring shipping traffic and guiding military vessels. 

In partnership with the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources hosts its Legacy Festival at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park on July 4, 2026, providing attendees with a unique way to celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial. 

“It’s something really special to make history in a place that’s already had so much history,” says Alyssa Yaple, senior director of strategic initiatives for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “And we expect to do that with this event.” 

On the schedule for this free event is an outdoor concert led by the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, refreshments, lawn games and an opportunity to learn about the geological history of the area, including the glacial movements that shaped the Marblehead Peninsula. Visitors can also delight in watching fireworks from Cedar Point, which is located across the Sandusky Bay. 

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, tours of the lighthouse are offered every 20 minutes between noon and 4 p.m., offering visitors an opportunity to ascend the 77-step spiral staircase and take in the views from the top. Tours are $3, but there is no charge to visit the grounds. 110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead 43440, ohiodnr.gov

The America 250-Ohio publication was created in partnership with the America 250-Ohio Commission. For more information on America 250-Ohio, visit america250-ohio.org.