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Fish Creek Art After Dark: Beginning a New Door County Tradition

Steeped in Midwestern charm and located in beautiful Door County, Fish Creek, Wisconsin, is the ideal destination for your next summer excursion.

 

While every season in Door County presents it’s own unique activities and events, summers here are one-of-a-kind. Home to stunning natural features and picturesque views, the area is just waiting for you to explore. Local beaches, parks, and public areas are well maintained and designed for visitors just like you. Aside from being fully outfitted and well maintained, local parks are perfect for just about any outdoor activity. Fish Creek is also home to a great collection of unique shops and stores. You’ll find everything from unique handmade art to fun souvenirs to help you remember your trip. Plus, don’t forget to plan a day at the local galleries and museums, which showcase fine art that you’ll only find here. The events and festivals in Door County are second to none and Fish Creek Art After Dark is looking to continue that tradition.

 

As the first year of Fish Creek Art After Dark, they are excited to offer a family freindly celebration, which incorportates artful expierences into various local businesses. Watch an artist make a one-of-a-kind painting, savor a special glass of dark red wine, then take advantage of extended hours at shops all over town. Or you may have the opportunity to see a sculpture being created; it's all here. This event is also held during the Door County Plein Air Festival, which brings even more artists and their unique works to Fish Creek. Come for the great live music, entertainment, demonstrations, and the opportunity to meet friendly new people. ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Jackie Nelson, Marketing & Events Coordinator for the Fish Creek Civic Association, to talk about Fish Creek Art After Dark.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

JN: This is the event’s first year! How exciting! We have over 20 businesses participating this year with different specials, features and “mini events”. We are expecting to draw a fairly large crowd due to hosting the event in conjunction with the Peninsula School of Art’s Plein Air Festival  "Sunset & Nocturne Paint Out”. The Paint Out event draws a big crowd of art lovers, who love to watch the festival’s numerous artists from across the country come into town to paint masterpieces in Clark Park and throughout town during the evening.

 

RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event?

JN: This event is geared toward art lovers of all kinds! Young, old and everything in between. However, there are not many children-specific activities, although if they love and appreciate art I’m sure they’ll find the event exciting.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

JN: Unlike a typical festival with a large tent, a band, beer, etc, this event is hosted at individual businesses throughout town. Businesses will offer art or “dark” themed specials, features and “mini events”, such as artist demonstrations, live music, etc. The event is also held mid-week, whereas most events are held during weekends. The goal of that was to "spread out" some of the business, so shopkeepers and restaurant owners have more time to make personal engagements with customers during the event, rather than being so busy they aren’t able to offer their guests the experience they’d have otherwise.

 

RAL: Walk me through some of the activities people will find at the event.

JN: The event starts in the afternoon. One of our businesses has a special between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, but most start around 5:00 pm or later. A person attending Art After Dark can use the event handout, which will be available at our information center and at several businesses throughout town, to plan their evening. Activities such as watching a jeweler create Door County geode necklaces at Spruce Boutique, or listening to live music at The Cookery while enjoying their featured “sour cream dark chocolate cake”, are just a couple of the activities we’ll be promoting. You’ll also able to watch professional artists from across the country create masterpieces throughout Fish Creek.

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

JN: Guest appearances by various artists can be expected at many of our businesses, as well as live music acts by artists from across the country and right here in Door County. Having the guest-artists from the Plein Air Festival is a real treat as well!

   

RAL: What can patrons expect to find for dining options.

JN: Nearly all of our downtown dining options are offering a special or feature for this event! Mr. Helsinki will be offering their darkest red wines for 25% off bottle price. Gibraltar Grill will have $2 off their artisan cheese plate. The Summertime is featuring their new “dark and stormy” drink, and you’ll find plenty of other specials available as well!

 

RAL: What is the overall environment like?

JN: There is no better place to be in Door County than Fish Creek on a warm, summer night. The walkability of our town mixed with it’s charming feel make the overall environment a relaxing one. This sort of environment makes Fish Creek the perfect location for an event such as Art After Dark. Watching artists paint along our beautiful shoreline, at the Marina and throughout town, as well as hearing live music in several different locations and savoring delicious culinary creations, wines and dark beers at our in-town restaurants will make give visitors the opportunity to experience Fish Creek’s “artistic” environment at it’s greatest.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

JN: All of the accommodations in Fish Creek are “mom-and-pop” businesses, even the larger scale resorts. Our largest resort is owned by a small family who lives on premise, and although the resort can accommodate groups of up to 100 people, the business owners still know hundreds of guests by name, and many come back year after year. See all of our great accommodations here on our website. Also, make sure to plan in advance because lodging can fill up quickly this time of year.

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

JN: Absolutely! Since the event drives people to individual businesses (all of which are individually owned and operated), our small business owners can expect to feel a little “push” from this festival. Being mid-week also helps as business owners often see lower sales during this time than they would on the weekends.

   

RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?

JN: The Fish Creek Civic Association is hosting the event. Our association is a member-driven non-profit with an overall goal to promote the town of Fish Creek. All of the participating business owners are members of our association. Although the FCCA does not make money on this event (we actually spend money on it), it is held partly because it will benefit our small business owners, which normally make the bulk of their profits during the summer months.

   

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

JN: Rarely does a traveller find an event with a purpose to celebrate the arts - and doing so through our unique small businesses makes Art After Dark that much more of a rarity in today’s world.

 

Many festivals’ original purposes get lost due to large crowds of people, events happening all in one place, loud bands, etc. However, this event celebrates our town’s most unique aspects- our businesses! Arts businesses of all kinds are prevalent throughout Fish Creek; and our shopping, nightlife and culinary options are by far the best in Door County.

 

Being able to see and experience individual businesses’ artistic offerings, all while being able to watch masterpieces in creation while being in the “heart” of Northern Door makes this event truly one-of-a-kind!


For more information about the Fish Creek Art After Dark, please visit their website.