Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay's Christmas By The Bay Kicks Off Holiday Season
By Steve Allen
Dec 1, 2007 - 11:28:00 AM

Is there anything to do in Door County over Thanksgiving weekend? And what if the weather is on the blustery side? And what about the kids? Is there any fun to be had? Is Santa Claus available for personal time to make certain he knows who wants what? Are there any businesses open? Is there anything to do for nightlife?

Sturgeon Bay’s Annual “Christmas By The Bay” festival makes it possible to answer each of the above questions with a resounding “yes”. Thinking of a jaunt to the Peninsula over the traditional four-day holiday break? Already planning to be in the area? You’re in luck. There’s plenty to do, but you’ll have a chance to kick back as well. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy Sturgeon Bay hospitality.

For starters, if your lodging plans include an in-room hot tub or fireplace, you can turn the weekend into a cozy experience and escape Thanksgiving dinner food preparation and cleanup. Add a game room and indoor pool to the amenity list and the kids will stay pretty happy as well. This city caters to folks with the above requirements with a variety of establishments. Best thing is that at this time of year the lodging rates are as low as the temperatures. There’s usually a Thanksgiving dinner spread available at Stone Harbor Resort. So you’re all set, so it’s time to move on to the activity list.

The festivities begin with a tree-lighting ceremony right downtown by the clock tower. Besides seeing the lights go on, it’s an opportunity to hear some live music by local performers. For the kids (of all ages) there are hayrides. The hay wagon rides are also available on Saturday. The Door County Trolley offers a warmer ride in an enclosed trolley car. Businesses are open and there are usually some great bargains at this time of the year. Younger children can mail their letters to Santa Claus.

On Saturday afternoon, there is a Children’s Christmas Store. Set up as a kids only event, children can safely leave their parents at the door and do their private holiday shopping. This activity really is a win-win situation, and the proceeds benefit the United Way. Don’t remember anything quite like this when we were growing up.

Perhaps the showstopper of the weekend is the Holiday Parade. Our own Sturgeon Bay Clippers have a great marching band. This parade is longer than you might expect. Many civic organizations, businesses, and even individual families march each year. Much candy is thrown to the crowd, and you can be certain there will be a child or two scrambling for it along the pavement. The parade starts on Madison Avenue, crosses Memorial Bridge, and continues along Third Avenue, then north along Jefferson Street. It ends at Sixth Avenue. It’s a lot of fun. Watch for Santa at the end of the parade.

Santa is available after the parade for a chat and photo at the Door County Historical Museum on Fourth Avenue. He sees kids until mid-afternoon on Saturday. You can also catch him at a breakfast buffet at Stone Harbor Resort on Sunday morning.

Bridgeport Resort holds a coloring contest for children on Saturday afternoon, so here’s another reason to bring the kids right along. If you’re staying at Bridgeport, the kids will love the little water park feature that the resort added a number of years ago. You can also take the kids over to the YMCA to the arts and crafts fair on Sunday. Here’s another chance to do some holiday shopping and pick up some authentic Door County gifts. Top area artists and crafters display their work and offer it for sale.

Finish the weekend with a hot cup of tea at the Inn at Cedar Crossing right downtown. Enjoy sumptuous bakery items to sustain you on your trip home, whether it’s a mile or a hundred miles away.

During your weekend, take in a performance at Sturgeon Bay’s wonderful theater venue, the Third Avenue Playhouse. Located downtown on Third Avenue, this old theater, formerly the Donna, was a movie house in days gone by. It’s very quaint and offers unusually great talent for a small town drama company. There are quite a few local and regional actors that have been performing here for many years. The admission price is right too! If you’re looking to go out to the movies, with or without kids, there’s the Sturgeon Bay Cinema, a six-plex theater with current hits always playing. It’s on Egg Harbor Road, on the north end of town, just off Highway 42/57.