Fall Fest Fun

It is one of the mostly highly anticipated weekends in Door County after the summer months, and their accompanying pleasant weather, pass by – Sister Bay’s Fall Festival.

It is the last weekend of the season for not only many area businesses, but also for many of the tourists who travel long and far to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities in which they live to enjoy the simple life of Door County.

Fall Festival is the last time Door County will see many of the faces it has come to know the past five months. This year, the festival celebrates 69 years of bringing its countless offerings to the area and with new additions, it will certainly not disappoint.

Five new elements have been added to the three-day festival, set for Oct. 17-19 throughout the village, and a long-missed tradition will return – the Ping Pong Ball Drop.

The “ping!” of ping pong balls will once again be heard as part of the Ping Pong Ball Drop at 2 pm on the final day of the festival. More than 10,000 ping pong balls labeled with discounts and prizes from area businesses will be dispersed into the crowd.

Other additions to this year’s celebration include sale of the official festival shirt and Sister Bay merchandise. On Saturday, a ring toss will be set up next to Sister Bay Bowl, camel rides will be offered, and the Sister Bay Sports Complex will host a stargazing party Saturday night. Fest goers are encouraged to bring a telescope and dress warmly.

The fest’s sponsor, Sister Bay Advancement Association, will once again make free WiFi available throughout the festival grounds while also offering a variety of entertainment and activities.

Helicopter rides will take place all weekend, with tickets available for purchase at the tent along the highway. The Seeking Sven Scavenger Hunt will offer people the chance to win a grand prize two-night stay in the Sister Bay Marina Boat House. Sven the goat is hidden in 26 locations throughout Sister Bay. Find him in at least 12 spots and collect an “I Found Sven” stamp on the scavenger hunt sheet from the business in which you found him. All completed scavenger hunt sheets should be submitted by Sunday to the visitor center.

The biggest parade of the year will make its way through Sister Bay at 11 am on Saturday morning. This year’s Parade Marshall will be the 2014 Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Volunteer of the Year. The Gibraltar School District Marching Band, Green Bay Preble High School Marching Band, and the Milwaukee Scottish Pipe Band will all provide rhythm and beats for the parade floats and participants.

All Door County individuals, businesses and groups are invited to enter a float into the parade or dress up in costume and entertain the crowd. The parade theme is “69 years of Fall Fest Fun!” Line-up is at 10 am on County ZZ past the Sister Bay Bowl.

Classic car and truck enthusiasts can get their fix with the Sister Bay Lions Club classic auto show on the west side of Mill Road during all three days of the festival.

There will also be a juried arts and crafts festival on Mill Road with vendors selling handmade items while Door County nonprofits and Sister Bay businesses sell food and beverages.

The Sister Bay Lions Club will host a Door County Fish Boil Friday night from 5 – 8 pm at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Station. Dessert can be found at the Fire Station on Mill Road during the Cake Walk, which supports the Gibraltar Historical Association. Grab breakfast at Village Hall on Saturday morning during the Kiwanis Club of Northern Door’s pancake breakfast.

There will be no shortage of activities for kids of all ages and kids at heart. Try your hand on the mechanical bull at Sister Bay Bowl or enjoy the inflatable games and bouncers across the street from Al Johnson’s. Children’s entertainer Randy Peterson will also be on hand to keep the kiddos occupied. Of course, pumpkins can be found in many of the activities, from pumpkin painting at Al Johnson’s to pumpkin bowling at Sister Bay Bowl.

Live music spanning all genres will be heard at seven venues across town with many festival favorites returning to share their music.

No matter your tastes, you are sure to find something to suit your fancy at the 69th annual Fall Festival in Sister Bay!

For more information on the 69th annual Sister Bay Fall Festival, visit cometosisterbay.com or call 920.854.2812.