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!

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.