This Weekend in Door County: Lighthouse Festival and Goat Fest

This weekend, learn about Door County history during Lighthouse Festival, celebrate goats in Sister Bay, and experience live music throughout the peninsula.

Festivals

Lighthouse Festival and 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights

Explore and celebrate Door County’s 11 historic lighthouses from June 7-9. Tours, tales, boat excursions and educational programming will take place throughout the weekend at lighthouse sites. Lighthouse visitors will be offered access to lighthouses that aren’t usually open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses. Visit dcmm.org for more information or read more here >

Coinciding with the Lighthouse Festival, the Ridges will host a 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights on Friday (June 7) from 3-6 pm. Enjoy appetizers from Thyme Restaurant, live music by Last Man Standing, as well as presentations from descendants of past lighthouse keepers, conservationists, and a member of the Coast Guard. Visit ridgessanctuary.org or read more here >

Goat Fest

On Saturday, June 8, pack up the family and head to Al Johnson’s of Sister Bay for a day of outdoor games, live music, a Swedish pancake eating contest, a goat drop contest and plenty of food and beverages. Don’t miss the Goat Parade at 10:30 am. All are invited to participate, bring your best goat and Viking costumes. Creativity is encouraged! The parade line up begins on the SE corner of Highway 42 and Mill Road. Read more >

Outdoor  

Farmers Markets

Visit Farmers Markets on Friday, June 7 at the Egg Harbor Farmers Market (9 am – 1 pm), on Saturday, June 8 at the Corner of the Past Market (8 am – 12 pm) and at the Sturgeon Bay Farm and Craft Market (8:30 am – 12 pm), and on Sunday, June 9 at the Baileys Harbor Farmers Market (9 am – 1 pm).

Park Programming

Learn about conservation efforts during drop-in program, “Protecting Our Great Lakes,” at Whitefish Dunes State Park (June 8, 10 am – 12 pm). The park naturalist will answer questions and offer strategies. Read more >

At Newport State Park this weekend, hike with a naturalist on Sugarbush Trail (June 8, 10 am). At Peninsula State Park, take the family on a hunt for Lady’s Slipper orchids (June 8, 10:30 – 11 am), join a naturalist on a hike along Hemlock Trail (June 9, 9:30 am), or visit the butterfly garden.

Performance and Live Music

Visit Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) for the one-man, nine character show, “The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey” (June 7-8, 7:30 pm). Hear singers from the Chicago Lyric Opera for free in Ellison Bay (June 7, 7 pm).

Live music is available throughout the peninsula, all weekend long. Featured musicians include Cathy Grier, Julian Hagen, Jamie Lynn Fletcher and Solomon Lindenberg. Check out the full schedule of live music here >