WE CAN'T DO THE TRADITIONAL FISH BOIL - THE FISH ARE FROZEN!
The Polar Vortex has struck! Unfortunately Ken Koyen, the commercial fisherman and “Fish Mortician” of the island, finds his nets locked in the ice caused by the record-setting cold and will not be coming down this Saturday as he’ll be busy trying to salvage his equipment. Ken tells us these are the toughest conditions he’s seen in 48 years of Lake Michigan fishing.
WHAT ? - No fish at the fish boil??!??
BUT WAIT! - Our good friend “Festival Tom” Cimms and brother Jim are riding in to save the day with his famous LOWCOUNTRY SHRIMP BOIL!
This is the real deal - potatoes, onions, sweet corn, Andouille sausage, jumbo shrimp and spices, plated up for you in our heated tents.
Of course, we will still be offering the Island’s famous Mann’s bratwurst with grilled onions and Gouda cheese, as well as a variety of Mediterranean-based vegetarian and gluten-free dishes and Door County cherry pie. These will be available on a walk-up-and-pay basis.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS MEAL IS A FEATURE OF THE WASHINGTON ISLAND FESTIVAL AND IS ONLY AVAILABLE WITH A SEPARATE $15 ENTRANCE TICKET TO THE FESTIVAL - THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN JUST COME FOR THE SHRIMP BOIL.
BERWYN WEATHER REPORT SAYS 36-39 DEGREES AND WE’LL
HAVE THE HEATED TENTS AND A FIRE PIT IN THE YARD!!!
If you purchased a ticket for the Fish Boil Dinner and would like to switch to the Shrimp Boil you need do nothing, you’re all set. Otherwise, contact Ticketweb to arrange for a full refund of either or both of your tickets (sorry, we can’t help there, only the customer can make this request). We’re looking forward to a great night of food, music and fun (AND SHRIMP!) and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
For those who haven’t bought a dinner, Shrimp Boil Tickets will be on sale starting today on ticketweb.com and here at FitzGerald’s for the same Fish Boil price of $18. Although he may have some extra, walk up is not guaranteed, so get your tickets!
If you know ticketholders who may not see this, please spread the word. We’ll also be posting on social media every day.
TIME TO COME OUT AND ENJOY THE WEATHER WITH THE ISLANDERS!
The Islanders are invading FitzGerald's again for an authentic Door County fresh Shrimp Boil party that guarantees to make the winter blues go away! A feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.
Doors open at 3:30 pm with dinner in our heated tents beginning at 5pm. There will also be live music throughout the evening. A variety of musicians will perform, all with Island connections! It will be an entertaining, toe-tapping, rollicking mix of rock, country, blues, gospel, and more. Additional guest performers will also join in.
Music in the club will start at approximately 4:30 and will run throughout the evening. A musical variety show backed by the acclaimed, Island-connected The Seat of the Pants Band will offer up an entertaining evening of rollicking rock, country, blues, gospel, folk and more. Julian Hagen will be playing tunes and trying to keep the run-away train on the tracks. The one and only Kathy Sperenberger will be reprising songs from her acclaimed show "Viva La Diva." Paris Schutz of WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" will be singing his heart out and playing keys; Rick Gourley, former bass player for The Jump in the Saddle Band will be keeping us solid; Peter Quin, also from The Jump in the Saddle Band on harmonica and vocals; and additional surprise guest performers will be announced in the coming days.
A Fiddlers Green-style jam session will be taking place throughout the evening in the SideBar music room. Bring an instrument, borrow one from one of the musicians, lead a song, join in the singing, or enjoy the camaraderie! Extra guitars will also be available.
ADMISSION: Admission to the festival including the music, door prizes, raffle access and slide show is only $15. Tickets are available at the Club the day of the festival, in advance in person at the club and online at TicketWeb.com. Simply put, it costs just $15 for admission, all food and drinks are extra! Free admission for children 12 and under but if they want any of the dinners they must pay.
SHRIMP BOIL DINNER: A Shrimp Boil dinner ticket is an additional $18 (you must also pay the admission fee to fest to get the dinner) and can be purchased ONLY in advance in person at the club and at TicketWeb.com. There may be some walk up available after ticketholders are served but no guarantees, so don't miss out - buy a ticket on ticketweb or here at the club.
BRATWURST DINNER: A Bratwurst Dinner with brats freshly made and adorned with grilled onions and Gouda cheese by Mann's Store, Washington Island's only food store, is $12. Additional brat $5. No advance tickets available just pay when you purchase.
VEGETARIAN FARE: A vegertarian/vegan Mediterranean Delight meal (great as a starter to share or as an entrée) for $13. Baklava for $5. Both for $15. No advance tickets available just pay when you purchase.