Discover Vermilion

Main Street Beach Webcam

Hats On For Winter Boating

Vermilion, Ohio is sometimes gifted with unseasonably warm days throughout the traditional winter months, and paddlers take advantage of warmer weather to rescue their boat from storage and take it for a float down the river. If you’re that avid paddler, it is extremely important to dress appropriately in order to have fun and stay safe out on the water.

Backyard Birding In Vermilion

Watching the many species of birds that inhabit your ecosystem is a fun and fascinating pastime the whole family can enjoy together. Winter is the best time to feed birds as they need the food more than at any other time of year and you will typically see a greater number and variety of birds at bird feeders. Many interesting birds from the north fly south in winter, and in spring many species return home.

Santa On The Fire Truck Returns

The Vermilion Fire Company, Inc., the social club for firefighters, will host the annual Santa On The Fire Truck on Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Vermilion On The Lake and surrounding areas - including Woodlands, Highbridge, and the Elberta Beach area. Children will have an opportunity to meet Santa and receive a treat bag. The Vermilion Fire Company Inc. invites the children of Vermilion to join them.

Santa Is In The House

Santa is in the Santa House greeting children after arriving By Icebreaker at 11 am on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at East Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. Santa is in the House at Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 11:15 am to 3 pm, and 4 pm to 6 pm. Santa is in the House at Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 11 am to 3 pm.

The History Of Crystal Beach Park

Just east of downtown Vermilion on Rt. 6 on the north side of the road are an easily overlooked apartment complex, a gas station and a bank. On this acreage, as early as 1870 stood a picnic grove called Shadduck Lake Park. This pleasant grove became popular because the tree shaded area was accessible to horse-drawn buggies.

Operation Christmas Joy Needs You!

Operation Christmas Joy needs you! Consider helping to make this a merry holiday for those less fortunate. Hands and hearts are needed to load bags and boxes for delivery to needy families. A minimum 2-hour shift on Saturday, December 21 from 8 am to 12 noon would help the cause of spreading Christmas joy throughout the local area.

Council Approves $2.2 Million Water Meter Project

At a Special Vermilion City Council Meeting on Monday, December 9, 2019, City Council voted unanimously to pass an emergency ordinance to allow the city to issue and sell bonds in the maximum principal amount of $2,200,000 to acquire and install new water meter equipment and related technology improvements for the municipal water system. Mayor Forthofer had reiterated at the Utilities Committee Meeting on October 21, 2019.

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Santa On The Fire Truck

The Vermilion Fire Company, Inc., the social club for firefighters, will host the annual Santa On The Fire Truck on Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Vermilion On The Lake and surrounding areas - including Woodlands, Highbridge, and the Elberta Beach area. Children will have an opportunity to meet Santa and receive a treat bag.

The Christmas Tree Ship

The Christmas Tree Ship sails into Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 10:30 am to noon at McGarvey’s Landing in downtown, Vermilion. No other community can boast a Christmas tradition like this one. Main Street Vermilion invites everyone, young and old, to bundle up and gather riverside at McGarvey's Landing (5150 Liberty Avenue) for the arrival of The Christmas Tree Ship, a vintage icebreaker loaded with Christmas trees.

Light Up Vermilion!

Vermilion is dressing up for the holidays! Light Up Vermilion! takes place on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm in Downtown Vermilion, Ohio. During the 5th annual Light Up Vermilion, local businesses invite you in for extended shopping hours, festive window displays, and activities that will fill the evening. Here’s what’s in store for you and your family: Stop at Main Street Vermilion first. Pick up a cookie box.

Safe Harbor Animal Resue MilkBone Mania

Safe Harbor Animal Resue MilkBone Mania, hosted by Safe Harbor Animal Rescue, takes place on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 11 am to 3 pm at German's Villa, 3330 Liberty Avenue in Vermilion, Ohio. Have fun and help save dogs!

Christmas Tree Lot

Fresh cut trees will be delivered the week of Thanksgiving to the Christmas Tree Lot in downtown Vermilion. The Vermilion Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tree Lot is open November 29 thru December 23, 2019. The Tree Lot is located behind Tiffany’s Flowers at 686 Main Street in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. Buy a tree and help a local charity.

Christmas Tree Lighting At Historic Brownhelm School

Join Brownhelm Historical Association for an Old-Fashioned Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting and caroling. Enjoy a Soup Supper while reminiscing about past Community Christmases and Brownhelm Santas. After supper the Brownhelm Christmas Tree will be lit, as everyone sings a few Christmas carols then heads back in for cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee. Santa will visit.

Old Fashioned Holiday At The Benjamin Bacon House

Brownhelm's Old Fashioned Holiday at The Benjamin Bacon House, hosted by Brownhelm Historical Association (BHA), takes place Saturday, December 7, 2019 and Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Benjamin Bacon Museum at Mill Hollow Park in Vermilion, Ohio. Travel back in time to 1862 for a holiday gathering at the Benjamin Bacon House.

Brownhelm Community Christmas

Brownhelm Community Christmas takes place December 24th, annually. Santas visit all homes in Old Brownhelm delivering gifts, candy and fruit. 20 Santas visit all homes in Old Brownhelm, the area originally served by the Brownhelm School before it was consolidated with Firelands Schools.

Christmas At The Brownhelm Heritage Museum

Christmas at the Brownhelm Heritage Museum takes place on December 4, 2019 at Brownhelm Heritage Museum, 1355 Claus Road in Vermilion, Ohio. It will be a festive evening to socialize with friends at the little white country church, sing carols, and bid friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Join Brownhelm Historical Association for the last meeting of the year at the Brownhelm Heritage Museum. Doors open at 6 pm. A brief business meeting takes place at 6:30 pm with a program and refreshments to follow.

Tree Of Remembrance Ceremony

On Sunday, December 1, 2019, Riddle Funeral Home will be sharing with the community the 20th Annual “Tree of Remembrance Ceremony ”. The program will begin at 12:30 pm in Victory Park, located on the corner of Main and Ohio Streets in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. The event will be honoring family by remembering loved ones in a special tree decorating ceremony.

Art Show

The Vermilion Arts Guild Holiday Art Show & Sale takes place November 9, 2019 to December 22, 2019 in downtown Vermilion, Ohio. The gallery shows feature fine art, photography, jewelry, wood sculpture, ceramics, pottery, and unique hand-crafted items. The Vermilion Arts Guild is located at Main Street Vermilion.

Santa's Is In The House

Santa is in the House at Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 11 am to 3 pm. Santa is in the House at Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 11 am to 3 pm. Santa is in the House at Exchange Park in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on Saturday, December 14, 2019 from 11 am to 3 pm.

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Discover Vermilion Ohio

Vermilion, Ohio is the crowning jewel of the south shore of Lake Erie. From quaint shops to fine dining, the arts, entertainment and unmatched festivities, Vermilion truly has it all. Be reminded of a simpler time when an afternoon at the beach, a hand-dipped ice cream cone and a stroll along Main Street made your day special. Stay for a day, maybe two, and take home a memory that will last forever.

Downtown Vermilion

Downtown Vermilion, Ohio, "Harbour Town", is home to dozens of retail shops, restaurants, professional businesses, marinas, accommodations and tourist activities. Main Street Beach is a public swimming beach in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on the north end of Main Street. The Vermilion Lighthouse is located next to Main Street Beach in downtown Vermilion, Ohio.

Vermilion Parks & Beaches

Vermilion Ohio is home to several beautiful parks and beaches. Enjoy a picnic, a scenic hike, a bike ride, beautiful views, fabulous sunsets, playgrounds, sports activities, a dip in the water, botanical gardens and more at Vermilion's parks and beaches.

Main Street Beach

Main Street Beach is a public swimming beach in downtown Vermilion, Ohio on the north end of Main Street. Main Street Beach features an observation deck, a kayak/canoe launch, benches, an ADA mobility mat, and a concession stand.

Vermilion Ohio Lighthouse

The Vermilion Lighthouse is a replica of the original lighthouse that was later moved to Lake Ontario. Known as the "Town of Sea Captains," Vermilion was without a lighthouse for 63 yrs. The lighthouse is located next to Main Street Beach in downtown Vermilion, Ohio.

Vermilion Ohio Recreation

Swimmers of all ages enjoy our sandy beaches located in Historic Downtown Vermilion and either side of the city. Recreational boating of every kind, jet skis, canoeing, and sail boats adorn the Vermilion harbor, where ship building was once the major industry.

Attractions & Events

Free concerts, outdoor movies, museums, galleries and more are offered throughout the year in Vermilion, Ohio and surrounding areas. Discover all the arts and entertainment that Vermilion has to offer. Discover Vermilion Ohio's Arts & Entertainment.

Vermilion River & Lake Erie

The Vermilion River, which flows into Lake Erie, endows marina facilities with more than 1,000 boat slips and ramps for easy access to the Lake, earning Vermilion the title of the “Largest Small Boat Harbour on the Great Lakes.” Lake freighters are a regular sight on Lake Erie making their way through the Great Lakes.

Boat Ramps & Guest Docks

Vermilion Ohio invites you to visit our public guest docks and boat ramps. You are in the center of Vermilion's historical district and within easy walking distance of many quaint specialty shops, groceries, ice, restaurants, fast food, historical homes, overnight accommodations, professional services and the beach.

Ultimate Railfan Destination

Trains began running through Vermilion, Ohio starting in 1853. For over 140 years the rumbling, roaring, shaking, screaming tornados have rushed through the quiet village. Ships have come and gone in this little city by the sea, but they were never the acoustic monsters like the trains which roll along like wild demons in a race. Freight of all kinds flies through the city, and as far as we can foresee, it will continue for 140 more years. Such is life in a railroad town.

Vermilion Ohio History

History tells us that the Erie Indians lived along the south shore of Lake Erie until their murderous extinction by the warlike Iroquois from upper New York State in 1655. Then around 1700 the Ottawas, Hurons (Wyandottes) and Chippewas gradually returned to the area for furs to sell to the French traders until they too were pushed out of their hunting and trapping grounds by the pioneering white man. Few Indians remained by 1800. One historian said, "Lake Shore Ohio was an Indian borderland. Indian habitation was a nervous, restless one punctuated by wars, international rivalries and disasters."

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