Boating and Fishing Fest at the Cleveland Harbor

The Boating and Fishing Fest is an annual event in June at the harbor in downtown Cleveland. There are many references to the notorious pirate Juan Eduardo De Rivera who attacked Cleveland more than 200 years ago. You can buy "I am a good pirate" hats and there at least 3-4 volunteers dressed like pirates at the fest. These "pirates" give string of beads to kids instead of attacking anything. You can see the replica of pirate's ship The Red Witch at the harbor behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.


The best parking spot is just behind the Browns stadium ($ 7), there is also a large parking lot across from the stadium (on the left on the picture above, $ 8).


Let's board the ship of the Ohio DNR Wildlife for a fishing trip in the lake Erie (DNR stands for Department of Natural Resources). The trip is free, you just have to sign a waiver form (not a DNR, do-not-resuscitate form).


This is a lakeside view of the Cleveland downtown.


Hey, we met another ship!


We sail at full speed to the secret fishing spot that only the captain knows.


We pass by the lighthouse at the entrance of the Cleveland harbor. This is the West Breakwater Light. See the lighthouse at mouth of Cuyahoga during a winter storm. More photos here: Lighthouse transformed into a fairy castle after being encased in sparkling ice - Cleveland harbor. Daily Mail, 2010.


It turns out that we are not the only boaters...This is a busy photo - you can see plenty of fishing rods, kayaks, a lighthouse, flying gulls and even the Erie breakwall in the distance.


After 30 minutes or so, we pass again by the lighthouse on our way back. Nobody caught any fish, by the way, because there was a lot of competition from the gulls. That's OK, we wave hello to the fellow boaters.


Another view of the Cleveland downtown with the massive Browns stadium at the lake front.


This is a close-up view of the tall ship we met in the lake - Windy II (what a name for a ship...).

Other Attractions at the Harbor

William G. Mather Steamship


While at the lake front, you can see other attractions like William G. Mather - "the ship who built Cleveland" (the entrance is $ 6 for adults). This steamship is really, really big.

U.S.S. Cod


Just nearby is the WWII submarine Cod which famously defeated 30 battle ships during its service in the U.S. Army. There is a small parking lot which is free for the submarine visitors.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame


The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just nearby too. Its half-pyramidal glass structure is vaguely reminiscent of the pyramids in front of the Louvre in Paris. Through the glass, you can see the notorious East German car, the Trabant from one of the U2's album covers, hanging from the ceiling.

References:
Boating and Fishing Fest
Arrr! What a festival - NewsHerald.com
Ohio Lights - RodWatson.com

Published: 06/01/2005
Updated: 12/08/2010