Fyr Bal Returned With a Bang

Jim Reeve was named the 56th Fyr Bal chieftain. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

After a two-year hiatus, the 56th annual Fyr Bal Festival was held June 18: a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate the start of summer on the shore of Eagle Harbor.

The day held festivities for all ages, including the Fur Bal pet parade, which had about 30 furry participants; and – new this year – the make-your-own flower crown activity, which drew many attendees into the Ephraim Village Hall.

Jim Reeve was named the 56th Fyr Bal chieftain. The boat that transports the chieftain to the festival has launched from his pier for many years, and Reeve was also honored for his many contributions to the Village of Ephraim. Among them have been his service to the Ephraim Men’s Club, which holds pancake breakfasts to raise scholarship funds for Gibraltar students; service on boards within the Ephraim Historical Foundation; and assistance with organizing the repair of the split-rail fence along the village’s Moravia Street.