Ephraim’s 2011 Annual Fyr Bal Festival

Photo by Dan Eggert.

Ephraim celebrates its 47th Annual Fyr Bal Festival June 17 – 19. Steeped in Scandinavian tradition, Fyr Bal, pronounced fear ball, is Norwegian for bonfire. The festival re-creates customs of early Norwegians celebrating midsummer’s eve. Evening bonfires on Saturday represent the burning of the ‘winter witch’ and welcome the summer solstice. The weekend is fun for the entire family along the shoreline of Eagle Harbor.

Friday, June 17, 2011
• 9am-dusk – Amusement Rides, north Ephraim
• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center
• 11am – Ephraim Historical Exhibits & Museum Opening, Anderson Barn History Center
• 4-6pm – Exhibit Reception – The Garments of our Foundation, Anderson Barn History Center
• 7:30pm – Midsummer’s Music Festival Concert, Hardy Gallery

Saturday, June 18, 2011
• 9am-dusk – Amusement Rides, north Ephraim
• 9am-throughout the day – Music from Sherman’s Tunes To-Go
• 9-10am – Traditional Scandinavian Fiddlers & Costumes, Harborside Park
• 9am-2pm – Used Book Sale, outside Ephraim Library
• 9am-5pm – Fyr Bal Art & Craft Show, artisans along the shoreline downtown
• 9am-5pm – Henna Art – $5 Fyr Bal tattoos! Art & Craft Show area
• 9am-5pm – Summerwind Alpacas & Iron Wood Croft Llamas, outside Visitor Information Center
• 9am-7pm – Raffle Tickets on Sale – $500 Cash Grand Prize! various locations
• 9:30am – Zumba Dance Fitness Class (9am registration, no charge), Anderson Dock
• 9:30am – Ephraim Yacht Club Fyr Bal Regatta
• 10am-12 pm – Kids Craft – Watercolor Fun, inside Village Hall
• 10am-12 pm – Cake Walk, tickets $.50/each, inside Village Hall
• 10am-5pm – Free Trolley Rides, wave and trolley will stop. Park at Fine Line Designs Gallery (north) and Wetlands Preserve (south).
• 10am-6:45pm – Silent Auction, inside Village Hall
• 10am-dusk – Festival Food and Fyr Bal Merchandise, outside Village Hall
• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, children under 6 free
• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center
• 10:30am-1pm – Traditional Scandinavian Fiddlers & Costumes, strolling through the village
• 11am-2pm – Acoustic Music by D’Arez & Friends, Harborside Park
• 11:30am – 4th Annual Fur Ball Pet Parade, participants meet at USPS at 11:15am
• 12 noon-1pm – Bubbles & Face Paint, Ephraim Shores Motel lawn
• 1-2pm – Family Fun – Children’s entertainer Randy Peterson, Ephraim Shores Motel lawn
• 1:00 & 2:30pm – Guided Hikes by Door County Land Trust, Ephraim Preserve at Anderson Pond
• 2-3pm – Kids Craft – Make Your Own Tie-Dyed T-Shirts, $10/shirt (includes all supplies), Ephraim Shores Motel lawn
• 2-4pm – Family Rosemaling Project, $3/project, inside Village Hall
• 3-5pm – Acoustic Music by David Hatch & Lynn Gudmundsen, Harborside Park
• 5-6pm – Cherry Pie Eating Contest, inside Village Hall
• 5-7pm – Acoustic Music by Tim Byers, outside Village Hall
• 7:15pm – Announcement of Silent Auction Winners, outside Village Hall
• 7:20pm – Raffle Drawings & Performance from Door County Idol Zephyr Ciesar, outside Village Hall
• 8:00pm – Traditional Scandinavian Dancers & Singers, outside Village Hall
• 8:30pm – 47th Annual Chieftain Ceremony & Ceremonial Bonfire Lighting, outside Village Hall. (Chieftain medallion made by Ephraim artist, Carlin Hatch.)
Sunset (9:30pm) – Fireworks over Eagle Harbor

Sunday, June 19, 2011
• 8:30-11am – Waffle Breakfast by Family Centers of Door County, $8/adults, $5/students, $2/children, Village Hall.
• 9am-throughout the day – Music from Sherman’s Tunes To-Go
• 9am-3pm – Henna Art, Art & Craft Show area
• 9am-5pm – Amusement Rides, north Ephraim
• 10am-3pm – Fyr Bal Art & Craft Show, artisans along the shoreline downtown
• 10am-3pm – Festival Food and Fyr Bal Merchandise, outside Village Hall
• 10am-3pm – Summerwind Alpacas & Iron Wood Croft Llamas, outside Visitor Information Center
• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, Children under 6 free
• 11:30am – Ice Cream Eating Contest, outside Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
• 12-2pm – Jazz Music by Jana Nyberg Group, Harborside Park

For more information about Ephraim and Fyr Bal Festival activities, please visit http://www.Ephraim-DoorCounty.com or contact the Ephraim Visitor Information Center at 920.854.4989. The Visitor Information Center is located at 10049 Water Street (Highway 42) and is open seven days a week.