Take tour of the Bay Side of the peninsula to get the best foods around. There will be the Winter Wine & Cherry Festival at Orchard Country Winery, the “SOUP!!” Benefit at Peninsula School of Art or the Chili Cook-off at the tent set up in Clark Park. Since you’re up here for the weekend, be sure to check out the Super Bowl at one of our many great restaurants around the peninsula.  Also, if you’re looking for a place to stay, check out Door County Lodging for great last minute rooms.

Friday

• 12-5pm Blood Drive at Northern Door YMCA
• 1-4pm Ice Carving at Clark Park
• 6:30-10pm- Rock & Roll Art Night @ Hands On Art Studio (21+)

Saturday

• 10-12pm Ice Sculpture Carving
• 10-5pm- Winter Wine & Cherry Fest @ Orchard Country Winery
• 10-3pm Live Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations
• 10-5pm Human Foosball Tournament
• 10:30am- PARADE
• 10-5pm- Winter Fest in the tent @ Clark Park
• 11-3pm- “Soup!” benefit @ Pen. Art School
• 11-5pm- Free Trolley Rides through town
• Noon- Chili Cook-off @ the Tent
• 5:30pm Fireworks Display
• 5:30-8pm- Candlelight Ski @ Peninsula State Park
• 7-9pm- Peninsula Players “Baby Wants Candy” at DC Auditorium
• 9pm-12am- Big Mouth @ Alexander’s

Sunday

• 10:30am Fish Creek Fruit Loop Fun Run
• 11am Winter Fest Grand Prize Drawing of $2,500 cash
• Stay for the Super Bowl! Many businesses will be open!

Harbor Fish Market & Grille is putting on a beautiful and tasty way to celebrate!

Christmas Day Buffet In Door County

Reservations:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Serving Up:  Oven Roasted Turkey with Old Fashioned Stuffing, Apple Cider Glazed Pit Ham, Chef Carved Slow, Roasted Prime Rib, Baked Alaskan Salmon with Chunky Cucumber Dill Sauce, Montrachet Whipped Potatoes, Rich Turkey Gravy, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli Au Gratin, Scalloped Potatoes, Sweet Garden Carrots with Brown Sugar and much more!

 $18.95 per person, $8.95 for children under age 11 Reservations Encouraged

8080 Hwy 57 Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 920-839-9999

The English Inn is serving up its beloved full menu both Christmas Eve from 12pm-7pm and New Year’s Eve from 3pm-11pm. Join the crowd for all of the favorite festivities.

3713 Hwy 42 Fish Creek, WI 54212 920.868.3076

The Waterfront in Sister Bay is offering a special Four Course Menu and a Light Menu on New Year’s Eve. You must order by 6pm .

If you are looking for a place to stay, have no fear. We have checked around and found all the best holiday specials for you to get the most for your money. Check out Door County Lodging for all these specials as well as things to do while you are up here. Our newest website Door County Guide has featured “Things To Do” members including taking a Sleigh Ride with Mayberry’s Carriages, renting motor cycles from Young Automotive, and getting a massage from the amazing people at Lavender Spa.

A Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual event in Jacksonport and definitely not to be missed. Although the parade route is only four blocks long, you can see it up to three times.  The parade may not be long but it has a huge turnout and an even bigger heart. Every year, proceeds from this family favorite go to a local family to need.

Roasted turkey, home made stuffing and all the trimmings are sure to fill you up but if not, I know the many types of home made pies and desserts will. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate being around family, not worrying about putting on a huge meal and the clean up that inevitably comes after so start a new tradition and go out! Many of our wonderful restaurants will be opening their doors for Thanksgiving such as Harbor Fish Market & Grille, The English Inn, The Grill Room at Cherry Hills,Kitty O’Reillys Irish Pub and Saveur .  No matter what style dinner you are looking for, there is a place for your family to go.

Thanksgiving weekend has more to it than a big meal! The rest of the weekend is yours to fill with some of our many activities. Sister Bay is hosting Capture the Spirit including a tree lighting ceremony at 4:30 pm, caroling and storytelling at the new Waterfront Park. While there, check out the Village Hall for the Friends of Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Show featuring local artists. This show will be taking place on both Friday and Saturday starting at 10 am. There will be a lunch available there from 11:30 -2:30.

Holly Days will be going on in Egg Harbor on Friday and Saturday. Start it off right on Friday by having breakfast with Santa at the Landmark Resort from 8:30 to 10:30. At 9 am, the kids’ scavenger hunt begins as well as the Mistle Dough Contest. Horse drawn Wagon Rides will be available from 2-5 pm. At 4 o’clock, bring the kids for some good old fashion caroling downtown.  On Saturday, you can catch a ride on the horse drawn wagon if you miss it on Friday. Rides will be available from 1 to 4 pm.

Door County is bustling with activities even after the season is officially over. Come experience true holiday spirit with us!

But earlier this year, Governor Walker’s budget plan cut state funding for the arts by 73% and eliminated the WAB as a state agency.

Let's fill this dining room with local support for the arts in Door County!

“It’s been the PAA’s mission over the past 74 years to grant financial support dollars to individual artists and local institutions,” says Peninsula Arts Association (PAA) Board member and musician Pete Thelen. “And with greater community support we can continue despite the changes in our funding resources.”

Each year, raising the matching funds to bring a flow of cash into Door County is a new and greater challenge, especially in the wake of recent budget cuts. While board members work to meet these demands, their volunteer time is also spent on reviewing hundreds of grant applications and attending numerous lengthy meetings in order to come to consensus over their twice-yearly funding disbursements.

Last year, three local individuals put together the first of what is now an annual, fall, post-season, fundraising event in support of the PAA. On Wednesday, November 9, from 5 pm ‘til close, you are invited to enjoy an evening of great food, silent auction fun and live music in Fish Creek at The English Inn for the 2^nd Annual PAA Artfund Benefit, sponsored by the publishers of DoorCountyChefs.com, DoorCountyGuide.co, DoorCountyLodging.com and DoorCountyResorts.com.

pAt macdonald and melaniejane AKA “Purgatory Hill”

A live concert beginning at 6 pm will feature performances contributed in-kind by local musicians leading off with the Mighty Mouth Trio comprised of Jay Whitney, Richard Whitney and Pete Thelen. Next, Ben There, Dan That (Ben Larsen and Dan Mayhew) will take the stage followed by Jeanne Kuhns with Lost Mothra (Patrick Palmer and George Sawyn) . Capping off the evening, pAt macdonald and melaniejane AKA “Purgatory Hill” will certainly fill the dance floor.

Guests are invited to enjoy a buffet dinner, bid on a variety of silent auction items, win raffle items and a grand prize provided by local businesses.

“Raising money for the Grandmother of the Arts in Door County is something we are always enthusiastic about,” says Management Resources owner and promoter Jon Massad. “The arts in Door County are a vital community asset – one that fuels the rest of the tourism industry. Now, the PAA needs a return on their investment, having worked so hard for the Door Community over the years. It’s time we give back with a helping hand.”

Tickets for an evening of fine dining and live music at The English Inn are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Businesses wishing to contribute items to the silent auction are encouraged to call 920.785.3515 or 920.854.2688. You may also call those numbers or email a request for tickets in advance to: tickets@doorcountylodging.com.

Come on a Sunday to unwind and enjoy a bottle of wine for $5 off! Mondays are buy one get one half off night on appetizers. Stop in and order a Smoked Whitefish Spread or try their Wisconsin Cheese Plate both are offered on their selection of appetizers and are made with locally sourced ingredients.  Take time on a Tuesday evening to try the Wine Bar’s beef sliders, two for $5. The certified organic beef comes in from Waseda Farms , located in Baileys Harbor! Wednesdays are flatbread night. Get $1 off any flatbread all made with a Washington Island wheat crust. Stop by for a Wisconsin brewed craft beer on a Thursday and order a Waseda Farms beef cheeseburger for only $10. Stop in to listen to live music all through October on a Friday night and try the Wine bar’s featured fish fry.  The fresh perch comes directly from the Great Lakes and is only $17.95. They also offer a wine flight any day of the week.  Three different varietals are chosen daily for $8.

The Cookery’s Wine Bar is located on Highway 42 right in the center of downtown Fish Creek. The Wine Bar opens at 3pm and closes at 8:30pm Sunday through Thursday. Open late until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is from 3pm until 6pm.  For a sample of their periodically changing menu visit doorcountychefs.com.

The last of the cherries have been picked and the apple harvest is just around the corner. Everything’s changing but the most apparent change is in the volume of people mid week. There are no more Monday morning traffic jams in downtown Sister Bay or a corps of waitresses in Al Johnson’s rushing to keep everyone’s coffee cups full. Imagine walking into your favorite restaurant and not having to wait for an hour to get fish fry.The fall migration has begun, not the migrating birds but rather that of people. Families have returned home. Summer kids and locals are now in school, leaving beaches deserted. The days are getting shorter and the nights more peaceful.

So many people find the summer beauty of Door County, but the year ’round residents know that the fall is one of the best seasons to enjoy this beautiful peninsula. There is a sense of tranquility that one can’t find in the summertime. Fall brings crisp nights sitting at the fireside with a cup of apple cider, a slice of homemade apple pie, hiking through a forest filled with trees in a blaze of color, or getting ready for the winter ahead.

Fall seems to be the time of many festivals. The Inside/Outside Sale in Fish Creek takes place September 22-25. October has Pumpkin Patch in Egg Harbor, Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party on Washington Island, Townline Art Fair in Ephraim, Fall Festival in Sister Bay and Jack O’Lantern Days in Fish Creek. For a full list of events, check out the Festival & Events Calendar.

The 2nd Annual Royal Feast Buffet dining extravaganza will take place featuring not only the King and Queen in full regalia, but the entire Royal Court and a crescendo performance by the Kaheena Belly Dancers. The chefs will provide a festive array of chicken and ribs with a variety of other specialties and desserts in an unlimited buffet.

Cast members from the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire will be strolling about and dining in fabulous costumes, willing to strike a pose with guests for photographs. Queen Catherine and King Edward are members of “Have Court, Will Travel!” a professional troupe of more than a dozen re-enactors that portray a fictitious court in the historical time period of the 1550s. They are in Door County to celebrate the 2nd annual Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire that takes place in the magical woodlands of Carlsville on the weekends preceding and following the Royal Buffet.

Dining is from 5 – 8 pm, and will be capped off at 8 pm with a performance by Sarisha and Jessika, members of the Kaheena Belly Dance Troupe. They arrived at the festival in a gypsy wagon filled with dancers, who are also performing over both weekends in Carlsville.

Jesika

There may also be several Knights, members of Noble Cause Productions, a company performing at the Faire that specializes in jousting, stage combat instruction, fight choreography, and horse stunts.

The dining experience is intended to provide a taste of the color and pageantry of the renaissance time period. Each court member is a fully fleshed out character who can interact and improvise with patrons of all ages. Knighting and Lady selection ceremonies, merchant visits, and royal audiences are all a part of the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire experience. Two weekends of historical adventure, entertainment, fun and festivities with a Royal Court Dinner in between make this year’s festival a highlight for families and individuals who love the days of olde.

Tickets for the dinner and entertainment are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children 10 and under are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. Please RSVP to dcrff@att.net or call 920.973.8233 for more information or to make reservations.

The Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire is open rain or shine for two weekends June 25 – 26 and July 2 – 3 from 10 am ’til 6 pm on Saturdays and from 10 am ’til 4 pm on Sundays. Making its home in a lyrical forest and meadow setting at 5226 Monument Point Road in Egg Harbor (just 1 mile north of Carlsville), with daily admission $12 for Adults (16+), $9 for children (ages 5-15) and Seniors (over 60). Children under 5 and military personnel, currently active or retired (with proper identification) are always admitted free. A $1 discount is available to all who donate a non-perishable food item for local food banks or who arrive dressed in period garb.

For more information contact the producer, Sandy Stetler (aka Lady Bliss) by phone at 920.746.6773, e-mail dcrff@att.net and visit DoorCoWIRenaissance.com, Join in the Facebook fun and conversation at facebook.com/RenaissanceFaire.

The Spelling Bee starts at 7:30 and the top three finishers will be awarded gift certificates to the restaurant or wine bar. If you’re feeling hungry, the appetizers and small plates menu will be available as well as a selection of delectable desserts.

The Cookery is open daily serving lunch and dinner every day, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and the wine bar is also open daily at 3 p.m. The Cookery is located at 4135 Highway 42, Fish Creek. For more information about the spelling bee or The Cookery, call 920-868-3634 or visit cookeryfishcreek.com.

Red Quinoa Salad with Smoked Paprika Dressing

1 cup red quinoa, rinsed, drained

¼ cup packed chopped mint

¼ cup tarragon vinegar

2 ½ tsp smoked paprika

½ cup olive oil

½ cup thinly sliced patty pan squash

½ cup roasted beets, cut into wedges

¼ cup sliced green onions

½ cup halved red cherry tomatoes

½ cup halved yellow cherry tomatoes

3-4 cups mixed greens

¼ cup crumbled feta

Place quinoa in a large saucepan, add water to cover quinoa by one inch, salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Chill until cool.

To make the dressing, whisk mint, vinegar and smoked paprika in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine patty pan squash, roasted beets, green onions, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Add quinoa and toss to blend. Pour dressing to taste over salad, toss to coat. Place mixed greens on plates, top with vegetable/quinoa mixture, and sprinkle with feta.

Recipe serves four.

The Cookery•920–868–3634•4135 Hwy 42•Fish Creek, WI 54212