Door County celebrates Independence Day!
Door County is buzzing with activities as spring eases into summer. The first official weekend of our summer season is 4th of July. Both visitors and locals flock to towns around the peninsula for the Independence Day festivities which include fireworks, parades, arts & crafts fairs and the First Annual Renaissance Fantasy Faire Festival.
If you are looking to take a step back in time, stop out at the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire, just north of Carlsville. Door County locals and visitors alike will be taking in all of the beauty of our very first Renaissance Faire both Saturday and Sunday. There will be jousting, belly dancing, food, drinks and many demonstrations to take in. Check out the website for more information and tickets. The Kaheena Belly Dance Troupe will be performing on Sunday so be sure to check it out!
Baileys Harbor boasts one of the best parties of the summer with live bands, a parade, arts & crafts show and a fireworks show the town saves for all year. The parade starts at 10 am and includes the Scottie dog rally, old cars and tons of floats. Fireworks will start at dusk and can be seen from anywhere in the harbor.
Egg Harbor celebrates the holiday early with food and refreshments starting at 3pm, live music starting at 5pm & fireworks on Saturday. The parade is held on Sunday at 1pm and the First Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest will be starting at 2:30pm
Gills Rock starts its party off at 5pm with live music and food. At 6:30pm, a boat regatta starts and leads into the fireworks display at dusk. The best seating is around the Shoreline restaurant and surrounding docks.
Fish Creek hosts the annual 5K Hairpin Run/Walk on the 4th. It starts at 8 am at the Fish Creek Town Hall. To get registered, visit www.hairpinrun.com. All proceeds go to Gibraltar Area School to enrich art & environmental programs for the students. 
Downtown at Clark Park, a Venetian boat parade will be held at dusk followed fireworks over the bay. Fish Creek is also home to the Fishstock Concert series housed the legendary Fishstock Concert Barn on Cty F. Music will include Unity, a nationally known reggae band on Saturday and Karen Mal on Sunday.
Ephraim celebrates with the Family Regatta/Flying Scot Saturday Series Race all weekend long. This fun event starts at 10am on Saturday and is fun for everyone to watch the boats sail around Eagle Harbor.
Jacksonport is home to Art on the Quiet Side. Set at Lakeside Park, there will be an arts & crafts fair, refreshments and family fun during the day.
Sturgeon Bay has a ton of activities to do. Festivities start at 7pm with music, food & beverages, an old-fashioned ice cream social. Peninsula Symphonic Band starts at 8pm and fireworks close out the night at dusk. Chicago Fireboat Cruises provide a water view seat of the fireworks. The cruise starts at 8:30 pm and lasts until the fireworks end, this is a great way to take in the show.
Washington Island lights off fireworks from the ball park after a day filled with a pancake breakfast, fish boil and homecoming picnic.
Before festivities kick off on Sunday, take the family to a local Door County League baseball game, which start at 1:30 pm on Saturday. Games are Kolberg @ Institute and Baileys Harbor @ Sister Bay. Sunday’s games are West Jacksonport @ Maplewood and Washington Island @ Egg Harbor (2:30pm start).
If you are looking for a place to stay but don’t want to check a hundred websites, you’re in the right place. We have the most current Last Minute Room Availabilities right here. When booking, don’t forget to mention Door County Lodging!
- Birchwood Lodge has openings all weekend long. It is very centrally located near downtown Sister Bay.
- Egg Harbor Lodge sits atop the bluff overlooking the waters of Green Bay. They have vacancies for water view suites this week.
- Four Seasons Barn House is a rental guest house comfortable enough for 8 in a relaxing country atmosphere.
- Coachlite Inn has rooms available for the weekend. This resort is located between Sister Bay and Ephraim.
- Open Hearth Lodge at the bottom of Little Sister Hill has availabilities for one or two night stays.
- Glidden Lodge Beach Resort has 1 and 2 bedroom condos available. This resort is found south of Jacksonport on the beach.
- Eagle Harbor Inn has a 1 and 2 bedroom whirlpool suites available. They are located near the water in Ephraim. Be sure to mention Door County Lodging’s blog when booking and receive a 5% discount!
- Nelson’s Lakeview Suites is on the water in the heart of Baileys Harbor. They have several rooms available with water views.
- Country House Resort has all types of rooms available with a three night minimum at this adult retreat located on the water just south of Sister Bay.
- Settlement Courtyard Inn has courtyard or two bedroom suites available for a two night minimum. Located just outside bustling Fish Creek, this is a great spot to begin any adventure.
- Ashbrooke in Egg Harbor has a couple of whirlpool suites with king bed and fireplace available with a two or three-night minimum.
- The Parkside Inn across the street from the Ellison Bay public beach has suites availabilities for one, two or three night stays.
- Baileys Harbor Ridges Resort just outside Baileys Harbor has availabilities for stays of two nights or more.
- Nordic Lodge located at the north end of Ephraim’s art district has rooms available with a 2 night minimum
- Applecreek Resort at the top of the hill in Fish Creek has a few rooms left.
