Ephraim Welcomes Summer

Ephraim will celebrate their 48th Annual Fyr Bal Festival June 15 – 17. Steeped in Scandinavian tradition, Fyr Bal, pronounced fear ball, is Norwegian for bonfire. The festival re-creates customs of early Scandinavians celebrating the summer solstice. Evening bonfires along the shoreline symbolize the exit of winter and arrival of summer.

Festivities include a waffle breakfast at the Ephraim Village Hall, a waterfront Zumba class on Anderson Dock, Ephraim Library’s used book sale, Ephraim Yacht Club’s Fyr Bal Regatta, the Fyr Bal Art & Craft Show, ice cream eating contest, the 5th annual pet parade, a family bucket raffle, music from a variety of performers, the lighting of bonfires and fireworks.

New activities include a Fyr Bal Viking shield project sponsored by the Peninsula School of Art and the Shop for Cash raffle, offering a $1,000 cash prize.

The 48th Annual Chieftain Ceremony highlights young Scandinavian dancers and a performance from the Door County Idol. “Chieftain” is an honorary titled bestowed upon an Ephraim resident by the Ephraim Business Council to honor his or her service to the community. Eligible voters for Chieftain include Ephraim residents, taxpayers and Ephraim Business Council members. Voting will continue through June 16 at 3 pm at the Ephraim Visitor Information Center.

For more information visit http://www.Ephraim-DoorCounty.com, call 920.854.4989, or stop by the Visitor Information Center, open daily, located at 10049 Water Street (Highway 42).

Ephraim’s 2012 Annual Fyr Bal Festival Schedule of Events

Friday, June 15, 2012

• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center

• 4-6pm – Exhibit Reception – “Ephraim: The Artist’s Inspirations,” Anderson Barn History Center

• 7:30pm – Midsummer’s Music Festival Concert, Hardy Gallery

Saturday, June 16, 2012

• 7am-10am – Waffle Breakfast by Family Centers of Door County, Village Hall

• 8:30am – Zumba Dance Fitness Class, Anderson Dock (rain location, Fish Creek YMCA)

• 8:30am-2pm – Used Book Sale, outside Village Hall

• 9am-4:30pm – Music from Sherman’s Tunes To-Go, outside Village Hall

• 9am-5pm – Summerwind Alpacas & Iron Wood Croft Llamas, outside Visitor Information Center

• 9am-6pm – Fyr Bal Art & Craft Show, artisans along the shoreline downtown

• 9am-6pm – Henna Art – $5 Fyr Bal tattoos! Art & Craft Show area

• 10-10:30am – Ice Cream Eating Contest, outside Wilson’s

• 10am – Ephraim Yacht Club Fyr Bal Regatta

• 10am-5pm – Free Trolley Rides, wave and the trolley will stop! Parking at Fine Line Designs and Ephraim Wetlands Preserve

• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, children under 6 free

• 10:30am-12:30pm – Kids Craft – Fyr Bal Viking Shields, inside Village Hall

• 10:30am-12:30pm – Cake Walk, inside Village Hall

• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center

• 11am-2pm – Acoustic Music by D’Arez & Friends, Harborside Park

• 11:30am – 5th Annual Fur Bal Pet Parade, participants meet at USPS at 11:15am

• 12-1pm – Bubbles, Face Paint and Rock Painting, Ephraim Shores Motel lawn

• 1 & 2:30pm – Guided Hikes by Door County Land Trust, Ephraim Preserve at Anderson Pond

• 1-2pm – Family Fun – Children’s entertainer Randy Peterson, Ephraim Shores Motel lawn

• 2-3pm – Kids Craft – Make Your Own Tie-Dyed T-Shirts, $12/shirt (includes all supplies), Ephraim Shores Motel lawn

• 2-4pm – Family Rosemaling Project, $4/project, inside Village Hall

• 3-5pm – Music by The Hollands!, Harborside Park

• 4-6pm – Cherry Pie Eating Contest, inside Village Hall

• 5-7pm – Music by BenThereDanThat, outside Village Hall

• 7-9:30pm – DJ & Acoustic Music – Tim Byers, outside Village Hall

• 7:30pm – Raffle Drawings & Performance from 2008 Door County Idol Lily Larsen, outside Village Hall

• 8pm – Traditional Scandinavian Dancers & Singers, outside Village Hall

• 8:30pm – 48th Annual Chieftain Ceremony & Ceremonial Bonfire Lighting, outside Village Hall. (Chieftain medallion made by Karsten Topelmann)

Sunset (9:30pm) – Fireworks over Eagle Harbor

Sunday, June 17, 2012

• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, Children under 6 free

• 7:30pm – Sunday Family Sing Along, inside Village Hall