2021 Door County July 4th Events

The Main Street Market crew performs “death-defying” stunts at the 2017 Egg Harbor 4th of July parade. Photo by Len Villano.

For many, it’s the highlight of summer: Independence Day in Door County, the holiday made for Small-Town USA. Cookouts, goofball parades with local flavor and fireworks sending rainbows over the lake. And it’s reunions – bumping into friends in the crowd along the parade route or on the dance floor at Husby’s. Gathering with family in the backyard or at the beach. 

Last year we gave up so many of these great moments. This year we get them back (well, most of them. The Baileys Harbor parade is gone for another year, but Egg Harbor is back!), and our hunch is people will be more than ready to celebrate like never before.

So take a look at the slate of events for the holiday on the peninsula, make your plans and remember to be kind and generous to your hosts, servers and shopkeepers! 

Indepence Day Weekend Calendar of Events

JULY 3

Rock Island

11 am – 4 pm: The Friends of Rock Island State Park will host their annual cookout, which includes food and children’s activities, to raise money for park projects.

Baileys Harbor

9 am – 4 pm: Arts-and-crafts fair on the lawn of the town hall, 2392 Cty F

Kewaunee

All activities will be held at Lakehaven Hall, 96 Ellis St., unless noted

11 am – 10:30 pm: Food and drinks served by the Muskrat City Sportsman’s Club. All proceeds go towards a scholarship fund and educational programs.
3 pm – dusk: Kids activities and the 6th annual Art Walk
4 pm – dusk: Live music by Blind Ambition.
8:45 pm: A veteran’s tribute held at the end of Ellis St.
Dusk: Fireworks starting with a ground show and then an aerial show.

Algoma

12 pm: The 4th annual Blessing of the Fleet starts at Smashed On the Rocks, 70 Church St. The afternoon features a party, live music and food trucks.
2 pm: Live music by For What It’s Worth
6 pm: Boats begin lining up on the Ahnapee River to follow the Coast Guard and participate in a water salute performed by the Algoma Fire Department. All vessels welcome.
7 pm: Live music by Annex
9:45 pm: Fireworks at The Waters Edge Bed and Breakfast, N7136 Hwy 42. Bring a chair to sit in the front lawn and enjoy the 45-minute show. Rain date: July 4.

Egg Harbor

All activities will be held at Harbor View Park, 7809 Hwy 42.
1 pm: Harbor View Park will close to the public to set up the fireworks.
4-10 pm: The Egg Harbor Men’s Club and Buttercups Coffee will sell food and refreshments.
5-9:30 pm: Live music by the Modern Day Drifters
Dusk: Fireworks. Alpine Resort will open its grounds to guests to watch the fireworks from the lawn (bring a blanket or chairs). 

JULY 4

Fish Creek

7:30 am: Start your celebration with the Hairpin Run 5K in downtown Fish Creek. The race starts at Noble Square at the bottom of the big hill, with staggered start times for social distancing. Wear a mask at the start and finish areas. The run can also be completed virtually. Proceeds support Gibraltar Area Schools. Visit hairpinrun.com for more details.

Baileys Harbor

Note: The Baileys Harbor Parade has been cancelled for 2021. 
7:30-10 am: Pancake breakfast at the Baileys Harbor Fire Station, 2404 Park Road
9 am – 4 pm: Arts-and-crafts fair on the lawn of the town hall, 2392 Cty F
11:30 am: Cinnamon, pecan rolls and coffee while supplies last – as well as walk-up communion – at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7973 Hwy 57 
12-4 pm: Live music by Lady J and The Adaptors at the Chives food truck, 8041 Hwy 57
12-5pm: Activities at the visitor center, 8061 Hwy 57
Sidewalk chalk contest; get chalk at the visitor center
Kids’ Zone at Kendall Park behind the town hall, 2392 Cty F, includes pictures with ponies, Popsicles and face painting.
Selfie with a Scottie at the visitor center
Pictures with Ponies at Kendall Park 
2-6 pm: Live music by Jamie Lynn Fletcher at the HarBar, an outdoor bar at Florian II, 8048 Hwy 57
6 pm: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7973 Hwy 57, will sell popcorn and walking tacos until the fireworks begin 
Dusk: Fireworks

All day: 

Boat raffle by the Door County Maritime Museum
Lawn games by MAX
Food and refreshments
Vintage car display at Florian II, 8048 Hwy 57
Selfie spots: Take your selfie and post it to Facebook and Instagram using #baileysharbor for a chance to win a gift certificate. Locations include the Lake View Frame at Clover & Zot, the Baileys Harbor town marina, and the wings at Willow Clothing Co.

Algoma

10 am: A family worship service at the Family Worship Center, 916 Feld St., followed by inflatables, live music by Carry Across, kids crafts, volleyball and lawn games, root beer floats and hot dogs.

Egg Harbor

All activities will be held at Harbor View Park, 7809 Hwy 42.
11 am: The Door County Historical Society will sell food and refreshments until after the parade.
1:30 pm: Fourth of July parade runs south along Highway 42 from the north end of Church Street to County T. No registration is required to participate – simply arrive at the north end of Church Street around 12:30 pm to line up and receive a copy of the parade rules.

Sturgeon Bay

All activities will be held at Sunset Park, 747 N. 3rd Ave.

9:45am: The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society invites guests to gather at the parking lot at the bridge end of Stone Harbor for a 10am walk across the steel bridge to celebrate its 90th anniversary.
5-9 pm: Enjoy food, drinks, an old-fashioned ice-cream social and live music by Unity, starting at 6 pm. Sunset Park will be open all day for family beach fun, so get there early to claim your spot.
Dusk: Fireworks

Gills Rock

All activities will be held around Gills Rock Hill, outside the Shoreline, 12747 Hwy 42.
5 pm: Food and refreshments will be available.
6-9 pm: Live music
7:30 pm: Color guard and boat regatta
Dusk: Fireworks. Take blankets and chairs, and social distance as best you can.

JULY 10

Sister Bay

All day: Sister Bay Lions Club brat fry 
Dusk: Fireworks at Marina Park, 10733 N. Bay Shore Dr.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

Fireworks can be fun but dangerous, so the staff at area hospitals recommend these practices to help keep everyone safe during the Independence Day weekend.

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. 

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Even sparklers – which burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees and can become hot enough to melt some metals – can easily cause injuries. Glow sticks are a safe alternative to sparklers. 

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy to use in case of a fire. 

• Never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse; light only one firework at a time; and back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting a firework.

• Never carry fireworks in a pocket. 

• Never shoot them from metal or glass containers. 

• Never try to relight fireworks or pick up those that have not ignited fully. 

• Soak all spent fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in a trash can. Never discard fireworks, including used ones, in a fire pit. 

• Do not buy fireworks packaged in brown paper. This often indicates that they were made for professional use only.

Read more fireworks safety tips at cpsc.gov/fireworks.