Fyr Bal

*Ephraim's 45th Annual Fyr Bal Festival is June 19-21, 2009!*

Click HERE to download the 2009 Fyr Bal Art Show Application

Click here to download the Fyr Bal flier below.

Press Release:

Ephraim’s 45th Annual Fyr Bal Festival

June 19-21, 2009

Ephraim, Wisconsin (June 5, 2009) – Ephraim celebrates its 45th Annual Fyr Bal Festival June 19-21, 2009. 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. The weekend is fun for the entire family along the shoreline of Eagle Harbor.

Friday night, celebrate Peninsula State Park’s Centennial at the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s exhibit reception “100th Anniversary of Peninsula State Park.” Later that night, enjoy the classical sounds of a Midsummer’s Music Festival Concert at the Hardy Gallery, set against spectacular views off Ephraim’s historic Anderson Dock.

Saturday boasts the majority of Fyr Bal festivities. Music begins at 9am with MC and acoustic musician Tim Byers. Byers will keep crowds up-to-date on activities throughout the day. The Ephraim Library invites you to peruse the myriad of hidden treasures at their annual Used Book Sale. Along the shoreline, over 25 artisans from throughout the state will display their craft at the annual Fyr Bal Arts & Crafts show. Showcasing works in wood, clay, glass, jewelry and fiber textiles. Be sure to visit the Summerwind Alpacas and Iron Wood Croft Llamas at the Ephraim Visitor Information Center, where you can pet the animals and even purchase wool.

Young fiddlers, under the direction of Christine Whyatt, will treat festival-goers to traditional Scandinavian music Saturday and Sunday. Whyatt and her husband Nelson, who will accompany the group on accordion, are originally from Minnesota, where she taught music for over 30 years. Whyatt is happy to have a dozen former students and their families make the trip to Door County for Fyr Bal Festival weekend. In 2005 many members of the group traveled to Dalarna County in Sweden, the center of traditional folk music and craft in that country, to play at one of the largest midsummer festivals. They are a delight to watch in their authentic Scandinavian costume.

Treat your ears to an eclectic music lineup at Harborside Park on Saturday: first, the acoustic sounds of D’Arez & Friends, and then pat mAcdonald and melaniejane of Steel Bridget Songfest in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The duo teams up to create a sound rich in low-end, heavy in groove.

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 5-7pm.

This year, Fyr Bal welcomes the 2nd Annual Fur Ball Pet Parade, a play on the commonly mispronounced festival name. Participants may bring their favorite furry friends for a walk through the village. Animals must be leashed, controlled and at Ephraim’s US Post office at 11:15am on Saturday. Anyone can participate.

Festival-goers 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 10am and 5pm 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. Winners will be announced at 7:15pm. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $1 each or 6/$5 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 from 5-7:30pm, 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. The 2009 Chieftain Medallion, made by local artist Amanda DeWitt, will be given to the honoree at the ceremony. Eligible voters for Chieftain include Ephraim residents, taxpayers and Ephraim Business Council members. You may vote up until Friday, June 19 at 3pm at Ephraim’s Visitor Information Center. Following the Chieftain Ceremony, sunset fireworks over Eagle Harbor wrap up the day.

On Father’s Day, June 21, the festivities continue with more art, food, animals and music. Enjoy the soulful jazz of the Jana Nyberg Group. Challenge dad to a game of mini golf at the Red Putter or bring him to the Sunday Family Sing-A-Long at the Ephraim Village Hall to close the day. For a fun-filled Door County weekend, make Ephraim’s Fyr Bal Festival your family’s destination!

The Ephraim Business Council would like to thank the following music sponsors:

English Inn, Aspen, LLC, Evergreen Beach Resort, Fish Creek BP & Car Wash, Bay Breeze Resort, Ephraim Guest House, Water Street Gallery, Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor, McKeefry & Yeomans, Summer Kitchen Restaurant, Good Eggs, Fine Line Designs Gallery & Sculpture Garden, Nathan Nichols & Co., Village Green Lodge, High Point Inn and Premier Properties.

For more information about Ephraim and Fyr Bal Festival activities, please visit www.Ephraim-DoorCounty.com or contact the Ephraim Visitor Information Center at 920-854-4989. The Visitor Information Center is located at 10049 Water Street (Highway 42) and is open seven days a week.

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