More information about the upcoming Fyr Ball Festival taken from a recent article in the Peninusla Pulse …
Steeped in Scandinavian tradition, Fyr Bal, pronounced fear ball, is Norwegian for bonfire. The festival re-creates customs of early Norwegians celebrating Midsummer’s Eve. Evening bonfires on Saturday represent the burning of the “winter witch” and welcome in the long days of summer. Join the village for this goodbye to winter, running from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 – the 45th Annual Fyr Bal Festival.
The festival kicks off Friday night with the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s Peninsula State Park exhibit reception, and then later that evening with a Midsummer’s Music Festival concert at the historic Hardy Gallery on Ephraim’s Anderson Dock.
Evening bonfires on Saturday represent the burning of the “winter witch” and welcome in the long days of summer. The weekend is fun for the entire family along the shoreline of Eagle Harbor.
Saturday boasts the majority of Fyr Bal festivities. Music begins at 9 am with acoustic musician Tim Byers, with a myriad of music options throughout the day. The Ephraim Library will also hold its annual Used Book Sale, and the annual Arts & Crafts Show will showcase treasures from artisans all over the state.
Fyr Bal prides itself in being kid-friendly, and doesn’t fall short this year. Magician Jim Lenz will be strolling through the village on Saturday, along with numerous children’s activities and crafts at the Ephraim Village Hall and on the Ephraim Shore Motel lawn. Families will love the fun, family folk music of Tim Byers & Music outside the Village Hall from 5 – 7 pm.
Festivalgoers may park at designated trolley pick-ups, Fine Line Designs Gallery at Ephraim’s north end or the Ephraim Wetlands Preserve on the south end, and enjoy a free ride along Water Street to downtown Ephraim and back again between 10 am and 5 pm Saturday. Riders will take pleasure in a short historical tour from the docent onboard, courtesy of the Ephraim Historical Foundation.
The Ephraim Business Council’s raffle and silent action will be going on throughout the day Saturday, with over 100 great prize donations from Ephraim businesses. Raffle tickets may be purchased at the Ephraim Visitor Information Center, at participating Ephraim businesses or in the Village Hall area on Saturday.
Saturday evening brings authentic flavor to the festival with a traditional Door County Fish Boil, Scandinavian Dancers and the annual Fyr Bal Chieftain Ceremony. “Chieftain” is an honorary titled bestowed upon an Ephraim resident by the Ephraim Business Council to honor their service to the community. The newly crowned Chieftain will make his or her way into Eagle Harbor by boat, flanked with young Vikings for the ceremony. Following the Chieftain Ceremony, sunset fireworks over Eagle Harbor wrap up the day.
The festivities continue into Sunday with more art, food, animals and music.
For more information about Fyr Bal, visit
www.ephraim-doorcounty.org or call the Ephraim Visitor’s Center at 920.854.4989.
Parkwood Lodge is located on the north end of Fish Creek. It is a short drive to the next village, Ephraim, to enjoy all of the Fyr Ball festivites. Make a reservation today to enjoy this summer festival. Call 1-800-433-7592 or check online today!
