Adirondack chairs by the lake, the scent of kettle corn and fresh coffee in the air, and a row of vintage VW buses lining the grass. It must be time for the Vermilion Beach Market.
Now in its ninth year, the popular lakeside event returns to Sherod Park on Friday, August 1 from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shoppers can browse more than 100 curated vendors offering vintage finds, handmade goods, furniture, clothing, and art… all just steps from the beach.
“I’m a member of LeakOil, a group of vintage VW bus owners,” said Ann Naugle, the market’s founder and executive director. “I reached out to them when I was planning the first event, and they’ve been coming ever since. It adds this laid-back, summer vibe that’s become part of who we are.”
The event is juried, and every vendor is selected for quality and originality. “We’re a vintage and handmade show,” Naugle said. “We were even more selective this year to make sure every booth offers something special.”
Between booths, shoppers can stop by the wine bar overlooking Lake Erie, with chairs tucked under shady trees and mimosas available Saturday morning. Over a dozen food vendors will be onsite, including two coffee vendors, lunch and dinner food trucks, popcorn, sweets… and just about anything else you’d want while wandering a summer market.
Sherod Park provides the perfect backdrop. Once considered an underused passive space, the park now features new walking trails, a state-of-the-art playground, and more than 60 trees planted in recent years through the Vermilion Tree Commission. “It’s always been my favorite park,” Naugle said. “To see it so active now is really rewarding.”
The event’s mission goes beyond shopping. Proceeds support the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans and beaches, as well as the Vermilion Parks Department. Each year, the market also purchases and donates a tree to Sherod Park. Surfrider will host a booth during the event, offering information on Great Lakes advocacy and cleanups.
Planning your first visit? Naugle recommends checking the vendor map on social media before arriving. “Bring your friendly, leashed dog. There will be water bowls. Bring cash or a card, and bring your laid-back summer vibe. Just come ready to enjoy.”
Admission is free, and parking is available onsite and across the street at Grace United Methodist Church. Attendees should enter through the main Sherod Park entrance and follow one-way traffic through the grounds. The lot closest to the lake is reserved for handicapped parking only. Two sheriff’s deputies will assist with traffic and help pedestrians safely cross the street.
The event is rain or shine, though it may be briefly paused for severe weather.
Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind treasure or just a glass of wine with a view, the Vermilion Beach Market offers the perfect way to savor a summer day on the lake.
For vendor maps and updates, follow @vermilionbeachmarket on Facebook or Instagram, or visit vermilionbeachmarket.com.
Vermilion Daily’s 2024 Beach Market coverageAbout the Author
