Welcoming Summer: Ephraim Hosts Annual Fyr Bal Festival

Fyr Bal culminates with the lighting of bonfires around Eagle Harbor. Photo by Len Villano.

Ephraim explodes with summer excitement as Fyr Bal Festival (pronounced fear ball) re-creates traditions of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Artists, food, musical entertainment and family activities along the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor welcome the arrival of summer. Hop on the trolley or stroll through the village and visit the many historic landmarks, shops, galleries and restaurants.
The signature Fyr Bal event includes evening bonfires, representing the burning of the ‘Winter Witch,’ ushering in the long days of summer. Fireworks complete the festival.
See the complete schedule of events below. For more information visit call 920.854.4989, visit ephraim-doorcounty.com or stop by the Ephraim Visitor Center, located at 10049 Water Street (Highway 42) in Ephraim.

2013 Fyr Bal Festival Schedule of Events

Friday, June 14
• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center
• 11am-4pm – Free Museum Day, Ephraim Village Museums
• 7:30pm – Midsummer’s Music Festival Concert, Hardy Gallery

Saturday, June 15
• 7-10am – Waffle Breakfast by Family Centers of Door County, Village Hall
• 7:30-8:30am – Body Flow Fitness Class, Anderson Dock (rain location, Fish Creek YMCA)
• 8:45-9:45am – Zumba Dance Fitness Class, Anderson Dock (rain location, Fish Creek YMCA)
• 8:30am-2pm – Used Book Sale, outside Village Hall
• 9am-5pm – Summerwind Alpacas & Iron Wood Croft Llamas, outside Visitor Information Center
• 9am-6pm – Fyr Bal Art & Craft Show, artisans along the shoreline downtown
• 9am-9pm – DJ Tim Byers, outside Village Hall
• 10-10:30am – Ice Cream Eating Contest, outside Wilson’s
• 10am – Ephraim Yacht Club Fyr Bal Regatta
• 10am-Noon – Traditional Scandinavian Fiddlers, strolling through the Village
• 10am-5pm – Free Trolley Rides, wave and the trolley will stop! Parking at Fine Line Designs and Ephraim Wetlands Preserve
• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, children under 6 free
• 10:30am-12:30pm – Midsommar Craft by Peninsula School of Art, inside Village Hall
• 10:30am-12:30pm – Cake Walk, inside Village Hall
• 10:30am – Ephraim Historical Walking Tour, depart from Anderson Barn History Center
• 11am-2pm – Acoustic Music by D’Arez & Friends, Harborside Park
• 11:30am – Fur Bal Pet Parade, participants meet at USPS at 11:15am
• 12-3pm – Face Painting and Cotton Candy, Ephraim Shores Resort lawn
• 1 & 2:30pm – Guided Hikes by Door County Land Trust, Ephraim Preserve at Anderson Pond
• 1-2pm – Children’s Entertainer Randy Peterson, Ephraim, Ephraim Shores Resort lawn
• 2-3pm – Kids Craft – Make Your Own Tie-Dyed T-Shirts, $12/shirt, Ephraim Shores Resort lawn
• 2-4pm – Family Rosemaling Project, inside Village Hall
• 3-5pm – The Nicks, Harborside Park
• 4-5pm – Cherry Pie Eating Contest, inside Village Hall
• 4-6pm – Stand Up Paddle Board Racing, $2/1 lap or $5/3 laps, Ephraim Kayak Center
• 5-8pm – Bacchus Lotus, inside Village Hall
• 8pm – Raffle Drawings & Performance from Scandinavian Dancers & Singers, outside Village Hall
• 8:30pm – 49th Annual Chieftain Ceremony & Ceremonial Bonfire Lighting, outside Village Hall. (Chieftain medallion made by Charles L. Peterson)
Sunset (9:30pm) – Fireworks over Eagle Harbor

Sunday, June 16
• 10am-10pm – Family Fun – Red Putter Mini Golf, $3 for everyone, Children under 6 free
• 7:30pm – Sunday Family Sing Along, inside Village Hall