Put-in-Bay’s weekend events bring a charity race, monarch butterfly tagging, an Irish parade and a costumed scavenger hunt to the island on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The day begins with the Put-in-Bay 5K and one-mile walk, followed by Monarch Fest and Hooligans’ Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In the evening, the Mrs. Roper Romp brings participants together for a group photo and an island mystery.
Here are the times, locations and registration details.
Put-in-Bay 5K and One-Mile Walk
The Put-in-Bay 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday near the Boathouse Bar and Grill, with a one-mile, untimed walk/run starting at the same time. Sponsored by Miller Boat Line, the event benefits Mother of Sorrows Parish.
Registration is currently $35 for either distance. The chip-timed 5K includes overall male and female awards, plus awards for the top two male and female finishers in each of 14 age groups.
Packet pickup takes place in DeRivera Park, across from the Boathouse:
- Friday, September 18: 5–8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 19: 8–9:15 a.m.
Race participants ages 12 and older can receive a $3 discount on round-trip Miller Ferry tickets purchased at the ticket booth by mentioning their participation in the Put-in-Bay 5K.
Register for the Put-in-Bay 5K or one-mile event.
Monarch Fest at South Bass Island Lighthouse
The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center hosts Monarch Fest from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday at Duggan’s Field, beside South Bass Island Lighthouse.
The festival features monarch tagging, live music, food, raffles, vendors, crafts and inflatables. Visitors can help catch butterflies and observe the tagging process before their release. The lighthouse will also be open for tours.
The organizer’s schedule includes:
- 10 a.m.: Monarch Yoga at the lighthouse with Melany Gladieux.
- 11 a.m.: Festival activities begin.
- 11:30 a.m.: Put-in-Bay Twirlers performance.
- 1 p.m.: Butterfly races, with wings available to borrow or purchase.
- 1:45 p.m.: Raffle winners announced.
- 2 p.m.: Festival concludes.
Parking is limited, and organizers encourage walking or biking when possible. The site is less than a quarter-mile walk from the Miller Ferry dock.
See the Monarch Fest schedule and visitor information.
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 2 P.M.
Hooligans Irish Pub celebrates Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday with an all-day Irish party and a parade beginning at 2 p.m. directly in front of Hooligans.
Decorated golf carts are part of the celebration. Participants are encouraged to dress up their carts and gather their crews, with cash prizes awarded to the best-decorated golf carts.
For visitors attending Monarch Fest earlier in the day, the parade begins downtown at the same time the festival concludes, so allow time to travel between the two.
Mrs. Roper Romp: Group Photo, Scavenger Hunt and Finale
Big wigs, bright caftans and bold jewelry return Saturday evening for the Mrs. Roper Romp, inspired by Helen Roper from Three’s Company.
The evening begins with a group photo at 6 p.m. on the steps of the Round House Bar. At 6:30 p.m., participants can join “The Roper Investigation,” a scavenger hunt built around finding a fictional missing Mrs. Roper.
The hunt includes eight island stops where participants solve clues, scan QR codes and take photos. Participants can follow the trail individually, in pairs or with a group.
The evening’s finale is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Red Moon Speakeasy, between the Round House Bar and Park Hotel.
Find the route and clues on the Mrs. Roper Romp website or see the Facebook event for updates.
Planning Your Weekend Visit
Race participants should allow time for the ferry trip, transportation downtown and packet pickup before the 9:30 a.m. start. Visitors staying for the evening events should check their return ferry time when planning the day.
Check the linked event pages for updates before traveling.