Limited tickets are now available for children of all ages who would like to ride in special passenger trolley cars that will follow the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Train on Saturday, Dec. 1, when it makes its annual journey from the North Pole to East Troy.
In observance of the 40th anniversary of the beloved tradition of Santa’s arrival by rail, the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and the East Troy Electric Railroad, have teamed up with the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce as an event partner.
The East Troy Electric Railroad is running the Santa Train and the passenger cars as a holiday gift to people from near and far who enjoy the magic of Santa traveling by rail. All proceeds from the sale of tickets for the passenger cars will go to the East Troy and Mukwonago chambers of commerce.
The original East Troy Christmas Parade train, started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972, was a 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. It disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines interurban and streetcar system.
The East Troy Electric Railroad has acquired the soundtrack from the Schuster’s Christmas Parade, which was used in the early days of the East Troy event, but has not been heard for many years. The sounds of “Jingle Bells” and “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” will once again add to the excitement of the event.
The beautifully lit four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy on its mission to transport Santa to East Troy in order to light the community Christmas tree on the historic village square.
Nearly the entire route is visible from County Road ES. The train will stop briefly at the following crossings on its way to East Troy:
4 p.m. Leaves Indianhead Park in Mukwonago
4:30 p.m. The Elegant Farmer
5:15 p.m. Army Lake Road – Army Lake Camp
5:30 p.m. St. Peter’s Road
5:50 p.m. Byrnes Street
6:10 p.m. Division Street
6:30 p.m. Arrives on Village Square via East Troy Fire Department truck
The special heated passenger trolley will pick up riders with pre-purchased tickets at 4 p.m. from Indianhead Park in Mukwonago and at 4:30 p.m. at The Elegant Farmer and follow the Santa Train to East Troy. Riders will be able to walk to the village square for the tree lighting ceremony. The return trip will depart the East Troy depot at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the special ride, which must be purchased in advance, are available at the East Troy Chamber Office, 2096 Church St., and the Mukwonago Chamber Office, 801 Main St., Suite 1, for $10 each or four for $35. For more information, call (262) 642-3770 or (262) 363-7758.
In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin on the village square at 6 p.m. with a Christmas Carol Sing-along led by the East Troy Community Band. Concessions will be available on the square from local Scout troops. The East Troy Lioness Club will also offer walking tacos and hot chocolate in the warmth of the Lions Lodge.
Photos of children with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available following the tree lighting inside Ivan’s Backstage at a cost of $5 each, with the proceeds to benefit the East Troy Food Pantry. The photographs are part of the Holiday Marketplace that will take place from 5-8 p.m., featuring more than 20 vendors offering a variety of holiday gift items and entertainment by Cork N Cleavage.
Midnight Magic, sponsored by the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce, also takes place that day from 10 a.m. until midnight at sites throughout the community.
Under the theme, “All Aboard for an Electric Christmas,” the event offers pictures with Santa, The Enchanted Gingerbread Forest, Alaskan Malamute Dog Sled Pull, Marketplace, Carriage Rides, Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, Live Nativity Scene, Holiday Entertainment and Fireworks.
For more information, visit www.mukwonagochamber.org.
