Door County 2009 Visitor Guide - (Page 8) E H Events New Year’s Day Parade Fourth of July Celebration Pumpkin Patch Festival Egg Harbor Holly Days Village of Blossoms & Beauty ne leisurely stroll through the heart of Egg Harbor and you’ll see why this small village is such a popular destination for visitors. Egg Harbor has always been known for fun, a fact that’s reflected in its name. Legend has it that during an 1825 landing of a trade flotilla in the harbor, good-natured “war” broke out among the landing party and ended in a huge egg fight that left the traders and spectators covered with eggs, and the harbor shoreline littered with eggshells. Browsers love the wide variety of shops and galleries. Dining options range from fine to casual, with something for every palate. For golfers, Egg Harbor features four courses, including the county’s largest course as well as its two newest ones. Birch Creek Music Performance Center – a renowned music school with its summer concert series in an acoustically-perfect barn – are just minutes from downtown. On Thursday afternoons in July and August, Harbor View Park in PUMPKIN PATCH FEST IN EGG the village center is the place to be for free concerts. The Sunset Concert Series on Sunday nights offer HARBOR (more!) free concerts of amazing quality. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy! Not to boast, but Egg © Ken & Barb Wardius Harbor was named “Best Wisconsin town for Galleries and Art Scene.” Beautiful year-round, Egg Harbor is stunning in the spring. Surrounded by flowering cherry and apple orchards, the village also has picturesque public and private gardens on display in May and throughout the summer. This is a village that loves festivals as much as it does visitors. The celebrations begin on Jan. 1 with an offbeat New Year’s Day Parade, a refreshing small-town antidote to the hyped version on television. Pumpkin Patch Festival on Columbus Day weekend occurs just as the fall colors approach their peak, and is one of the most popular of the County’s celebrations. Egg Harbor Holly Days on Thanksgiving weekend is a living reminder of the way Christmas used to be, with old-fashioned carols, a tree lighting and special events for kids and adults. CONTACT INFO: Egg Harbor Business Association, (920) 868-3717 (peak season), www.eggharbordoorcounty.org O WEDDING AT THE LANDMARK © TOM OTTE E B ⁄ G R Events Taste of Northern Door Olde Ellison Bay Days Gills Rock Fourth of July Fireworks Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Beauty & Charm - Top of the Peninsula E SHORELINE RESORT © GREG & LYNN NELSON ven by Door County’s laid-back standards, the tiny settlements that dot the “Top o’ the Thumb” have a leisurely, old-time charm. Gills Rock, perched on the end of the peninsula, retains the look OLDE ELLISON and feel of the small commercial fishing community that has BAY DAYS always defined it. The Door County Maritime Museum has a seasonal branch here that focuses on the © Len Villano history of the area’s commercial fishing operations, which continue today. Divers use Gills Rock as the jumping off point for underwater tours of the shipwrecks that remain remarkably preserved in the deep, cold waters of Death’s Door. In the fall, the zigzag stretch of highway between Gills Rock and the ferry dock at Northport is a color tour must see. Just a few miles south of Gills Rock, Ellison Bay features numerous potters and other artisan studios, dining spots, and The Clearing – one of Door County’s great cultural treasures. Founded more than 65 years ago, The Clearing offers workshops and week long classes in the arts, humanities and natural sciences. Ellison Bay also offers one of the most spectacular scenic areas to be found on the entire peninsula. Located just south of town, Ellison Bluff County Park offers a breathtaking view from the crest of a 200-foot escarpment. Bring your camera for a photo from the wooden boardwalk that extends over the water. On the lakeside, Newport State Park has the kind of unspoiled, rugged beauty that seems timeless. The 2,400-acre wilderness area is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It features a great sandy beach and miles of trails for hikers, bikers, skiers, snowshoers, and backpack campers. Rowleys Bay, which abuts the park, is a pristine area with a resort and campground nestled into the woods along its shore. It’s a perfect place to fish or just let your canoe gently drift down the Mink River. Rowleys Bay is reachable by taking Mink River Road out of Ellison Bay or County ZZ from Sister Bay. Both routes are known for their beauty in the fall. CONTACT INFO: Top o’ the Thumb Association, (920) 854-5448 (peak season), www.ellisonbaydoorwi.com The Official Door County Visitor Guide 8 http://www.eggharbordoorcounty.org http://www.ellisonbaydoorwi.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.