Attractions
There’s always something going on in the city of Erie, so there is always plenty to see and do.
The Waterford Community Fair runs every Labor Day long weekend at the Waterford Fairgrounds. The fair features rides, live entertainment, horse pulls, truck and tractor pulls, and agricultural exhibits. Phone for more information.
The Albion Fair always runs the week after the Waterford Fair. The Albion Fair also has horse and tractor pulls, live music, rides, and plenty of good food. The main difference between the Albion Fair and the Waterford Community Fair is the different types of animal and produce exhibits featured at the Albion Fair.
The annual Great Lakes Independent Films Festival is also a great event to enjoy. It’s held at the Roadhouse Theater for Contemporary Arts at 145 West 11th Street every year. The Festival starts with a kick-off party at Docksider Tavern with performances from international artists. The rest of the even showcases a wide selection of screenings of independent films from all over the world, award ceremonies, and a chance to talk to celebrities. Admission charged varies year to year.
Other fall and winter festivals include the Festival of Trees from November 30 to December 4. Visitors get to walk through the Avalon Hotel Ballrooms at St. Vincent Auxiliary and see a large selection of beautifully decorated trees from different sponsors while listening to musical entertainment. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. There’s also WinterErie in February, a weekend of family winter fun with horse-drawn carriages, ice creations and blues music. Call the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs for more information.
Summer is also full of festivals in Erie. The biggest is probably the Erie Area Summer Festival of the Arts at Liberty St. Peter and Pepsi Ampitheater. This family-friendly event offers face painting, art shows with judging, story telling, free live entertainment and an assortment of arts and crafts.
Upcoming new attractions include the Gospel Extravaganza, Garage Band Blowout and Best Chef Competition. The Gospel Extravaganza will be a feast of local gospel music presents by Erie-area musicians and choirs. Teen musicians and bands will get to compete in the Garage Band blowout and determine which garage band is the best. And the Best Chef Competition will allow some of the finest cooks in Erie to compete for the title of Erie’s finest chef.
Visitors to Erie can also visit the Historic Warner Theater that seats more than 2,500 people. The Warner Theater is undergoing a $15 million renovation.
The Erie Land Lighthouse at 389 Lighthouse Street is also a popular sightseeing expedition for visitors. Built in 1818 the Erie Land Lighthouse was the first lighthouse on Lake Erie. The original lighthouse was 20 feet high.
- Four of America’s Top 50 plastic companies are located in Erie.
- Erie is the home to the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
- The character Alice from the Brady Bunch was born in Erie.
- Erie is covered in 167,634 acres of farmland.
- Average summer temperature in Erie is 76.4°F.
- Average winter temperature is a low of 20°F and a high of 35°F.
- Erie is 19.3 square miles.
- The total area of Erie is 21.54 percent water.
- Birthplace of 2005 NFL player Bob Sanders