Can You Visit Every Door County July Fourth Event?

Egg Harbor’s 2022 parade. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

Independence Day is one of Door County’s busiest holidays, and with so many events surrounding it, I wondered, is it possible to visit every holiday celebration in the county? 

Saturday, July 1: The hypothetical July Fourth journey starts on this day at the most remote site on the list – Rock Island – for food, a silent auction and kids’ activities, 11 am – 3 pm. To get to Rock Island, take a car ferry from Northport to Washington Island; then drive across the island to take a passenger ferry over to Rock Island. 

Fish Creek has fireworks on July 1 at 9 pm. Try spending the day on Rock Island and making it to Fish Creek for the evening.

Sunday, July 2: Make sure to get to Maplewood to see more fireworks at 9:30 pm. 

Monday, July 3: Head south for the Kewaunee Independence Day cookout, 12-8 pm, and enjoy live music and the second annual art walk. You’ll have to duck out early, though, to head back north in time for Egg Harbor’s Independence Day celebration, running 4-10 pm, and offering live music, food and more fireworks.

Tuesday, July 4: The actual holiday starts bright and early with the Hairpin Run: Door County’s oldest 5K. The race starts at 8 am in downtown Fish Creek. It’s probably good to get some exercise in before a long day of celebrating. 

After the run, get to Baileys Harbor before 10 am for a pancake breakfast and the first parade of the week. Take some time to explore Baileys Harbor’s arts-and-crafts market, hear live music and enjoy lots of food before leaving for another parade on the other side of the peninsula – in Egg Harbor – at 1:30 pm. 

Tired yet? Hope not. You still need to get down to Sturgeon Bay’s Independence Day celebration – with live reggae and refreshments – at 5 pm in Sunset Park. Then, turn around again to head to the top of the peninsula – Gills Rock – for a boat regatta beginning at 7:30 pm. 

For July Fourth fireworks, take your pick: Sturgeon Bay, Baileys Harbor, Gills Rock or Washington Island. 

Fortunately, there’s a full week to recover before Door County’s final fireworks celebration at the Sister Bay Marina on July 8. 

Here’s the list of Door County’s Independence Day fun!

Parades
July 4, 10 am: Baileys Harbor
July 4, 1:30 pm: Egg Harbor

Fireworks Displays
July 1, 9 pm: Fish Creek

July 2, 9:30 pm: Maplewood (at the Forestville Town Hall)
July 3, dusk (9:15 pm): Egg Harbor

July 4, dusk (9:15 pm): Sturgeon Bay 

July 4, dusk (9:15 pm): Baileys Harbor
July 4, dusk (9:15 pm): Gills Rock
July 4, dusk (9:15 pm): Washington Island

Celebrations

July 1, Fish Creek
Dusk: Fireworks at Clark Park and Fish Creek Beach

July 3, Egg Harbor

1 pm: Beach closes for fireworks setup
4 pm: Food and refreshments at Harbor View Park
5 pm: Live music by Modern Day Drifters
Dusk: Fireworks display at Harbor View Park

July 4, Baileys Harbor

7:30-10 am: Fire department pancake breakfast, 2404 Park Road
10 am: Independence Day parade (starting at Summit Road)
9 am – 4 pm: Arts and crafts, food, music all day at Kendall Park
Dusk: Fireworks at Anclam Park

July 4, Egg Harbor
11 am: Food and refreshments at Harbor View Park
1:30 pm: Independence Day parade: Find information at eggharbordoorcounty.org/event/independence-day-celebration/2023-07-03.

July 4, Fish Creek

8 am: Hairpin Run: Register for the 5K at hairpinrun.com. 

July 4, Gills Rock

5 pm: Food and live music
7:30 pm: Boat regatta
Dusk: Fireworks at Mariners Park

July 4, Sturgeon Bay

5 pm: Food and beverages, then live music by Unity at Sunset Park
Dusk: Fireworks at Sunset Park: Find information at sturgeonbay.net/events/special-events/sturgeon-bay-celebrates-4th-of-july-.

July 4, Washington Island

8:30 pm: Fireworks at the ball field on Main Road