You have seen the last name around the community, but you will be able to see the matriarch of the Fitzgerald family headline this Saturday’s Ellison Bay Day Parade. Phyllis Fitzgerald first came to Door County as a 19-year-old after a friend asked her to work at an Ephraim motel. Over the years, Fitzgerald met her husband John, served as a teacher at Gibraltar Area Schools, and raised eight children while living in Ellison Bay for over 60 years.  In her later years, Fitzgerald opened a small craft shop in her old barn to highlight projects made by her and others in the community. On Saturday, her grand marshal duties will begin at Fitzgerald Park, which was named after her husband. While she does not think she did anything special to deserve the honor, she appreciates the recognition.

The parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday and continue to Ellison Bay Community Park, where the rest of the Ellison Bay Day activities will take place. You can learn more about the event by clicking this link.