Annual holiday kick off set for Dec. 7
The East Troy Railroad’s Santa Parade Train rides the rails into downtown East Troy Saturday, Dec. 7.
The annual train ride is presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center.
The lighted four-car train travels down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.
Spectators can catch a glimpse of Santa along Highway ES. The train will stop briefly at the following crossings:
- 5:30 p.m., train departs at The Elegant Farmer;
- 5:45 p.m., Army Lake Road – Army Lake Camp;
- 6 p.m., St. Peter’s Road;
- 6:15 p.m., Byrnes Street;
- 6:25 p.m., Division Street; and
- 6:30 p.m., Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree.
The original East Troy Christmas Parade train was started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972. The ride was an historic reproduction of the Schuster’s Christmas Parade in Milwaukee. The Schuster’s Department store chain sponsored the parade, established in 1928, to kick off the Christmas shopping season. The annual train ride disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines interurban and streetcar system, but has returned in recent years as part of the East Troy and Mukwonago holiday kickoffs.
Santa on the Square
In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m., including the Bob Barutha Memorial Tree Lighting, winter activities, Holiday Marketplace, photos with Santa and more.
At East Troy Village Square Park, family friendly activities include:
- Cookie decorating, s’mores station, DIY Photo Station, Cookie Crawl and more;
- Christmas carol sing-along led by East Troy High School Choir members;
- Professional photos of children with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available following the tree lighting at about 6:40 p.m. at a cost of $8 each, with the proceeds to benefit the East Troy Food Pantry. Photos sponsored by 2894 on Main and all participants will get a digital copy of their photo;
- Cub Scouts Pack 92 will sell chili, chili dogs and baked goods.
Inside Ivan’s Backstage:
- The East Troy Lioness Club will have walking tacos, hotdogs and hot cocoa in the Lions Lodge starting at 5 p.m.;
- Ivan’s Backstage will feature the East Troy Holiday Marketplace with vendors offering a variety of holiday gift items; entertainment by Cork N Christmas Carols and kids’ crafts.
Visit easttroy.org for more information.
Midnight Magic
Mukwonago’s annual Midnight Magic holiday celebration will from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The annual, town-wide, old-fashioned Christmas celebration includes:
- Marketplace/Craft Fair at Mukwonago High School from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with more than 150 crafters/vendors and concessions. Admission is $3 for adults.
- Holiday entertainment all day throughout the village;
- Live Nativity scene at John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with presentations at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.;
- Horse-drawn carriage rides at Citizens Bank from 4 to 10 p.m. Ticket sales begin at Citizens Bank Dec. 2;
- Alaskan Malamute Dog Sled Pull;
- Professional pictures with Santa at Best Photography from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.;
- Santa Parade Train starts at 3 p.m.;
- Parade of Reindeer display/auction and gingerbread house display at Brooklife Church. Contest entries will be on display with the silent auction running from 4 to 9 p.m.;
- Parade steps off at 3 p.m. at Mukwonago High School and travels to the Mukwonago Community Library for the tree lighting. Line-up for the parade begins at 2 p.m.
The Salvation Army is this year’s Midnight Magic charity.
For more information, visit mukwonagochamber.org.
