Beach Market returns first weekend of August

The Vermilion Beach Market is set to return for its sixth year at Sherod Park in downtown Vermilion.

The market will take place from 3 to 8 p.m., Aug. 5, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 6.

The “vintage and handmade” beachside market began six years ago under Vermilion native Ann Naugle as a way for local vendors to come together and share their works with the community.

When it first began, Naugle had a hefty group of 60 vendors, a number which has grown past 90 this year.

Vendors will meet at the expansive 25-acre lakeside park just west of historic downtown. The market will feature something for everyone from vintage furniture to handcrafted home decor, jewelry, clothing and more.

“We hope to unite the community of Vermilion through this market and give more variety for items to be sold rather than just homemade gifts,” Naugle said.

Guests can take advantage of the beachside wine bards and variety of local food trucks that come into the area for the market each year, she said.

And on the morning of Aug. 6, vintage Volkswagen camper buses will roll into town to sell vintage merchandise and add to the vintage summer vibe.

“We have a group called LeakOil who come into town each year for the event,” Naugle said. “They like to use Lake Erie as their geographic common denominator for informal gatherings and really add to the whole vintage feel of the market.”

The market also is a large benefactor to Lake Erie.

A week before the market, volunteers from the market and Main Street Vermilion host an annual beach cleanup at Sherod Beach as part of the Alliance for the Great Lakes “Adopt-a-beach” initiative.

“We want to unite Great Lakes lovers in a continued effort to keep our beaches clean and beautiful,” Naugle said.

Besides the gifts the market brings to the community, the Vermilion Beach Market makes an annual donation to the Vermilion Parks Department and to Alliance for the Great Lakes.

“Both environmental organizations work to protect our most precious resource: the fresh, clean and natural waters of the Great Lakes and surrounding areas,” Naugle said.

Admission and parking are free.

The event will take place rain or shine.

As usual with Vermilion activities, friendly, leashed dogs are welcome to the event.

Plenty of fresh water in dog bowls will be on hand and two pet waste stations, donated by the Vermilion Beach Market, will be available in the park.

“My two collies and I absolutely love Sherod Park, and so I felt it was the perfect place to hold a market and bring people and their pets together in awareness of the beautiful lake,” Naugle said.

The “vintage and handmade” beachside market began six years ago under Vermilion native Ann Naugle as a way for local vendors to come together and share their works with the community.