Limited tickets are 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. 5, when it makes its annual journey into town.
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 beautifully lit four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.
The original East Troy Christmas Parade train, started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972, 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. It disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines interurban and streetcar system.
Spectators, who aren’t aboard the train, 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
- 6:30 p.m., Santa arrives on Village Square via East Troy Fire Department truck
The heated passenger trolley will begin boarding at 5 p.m. at The Elegant Farmer, depart at 5:30 p.m. and follow the Santa Train to East Troy. Riders will be able to walk to the historic village square to watch Santa light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas tree. The return trip will depart the East Troy depot at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the special ride, which must be purchased in advance, are available for $10 each at the East Troy Chamber Office, upstairs at 2894 Main St., (on the village square) and the Mukwonago Chamber Office, 100 Atkinson St. For more information, call (262) 642-3770 or (262) 363-7758.
Activities on the square
In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin on the East Troy Village Square at 6 p.m. with concessions, winter activities and a Christmas carol sing-along. The East Troy Lioness Club will also offer walking tacos, hot dogs and hot cocoa in the warmth of the Lions Lodge beginning at 5 p.m. Cub Scouts Pack 92 will sell chili dogs and baked goods on the square. The East Troy Historical Society Museum on the square will offer refreshments and tours from 5-8 p.m.
Professional photos of children with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available inside Ivan’s Backstage on the square following the tree lighting (at 6:30 p.m.) at a cost of $5 each, with the proceeds to benefit the East Troy Food Pantry. All participants will get a printed photo and digital copy, courtesy of 2894 on Main. Entertainment will be provided by Cork N Christmas Carolers. For more information, visit www.easttroy.org.
Midnight Magic in Mukwonago
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, “…and to all a MAGICAL night!,” the event offers professional pictures with Santa, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Gingerbread House Contest, Alaskan Malamute Dog Sled Pull, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; marketplace/craft fair with more than 120 vendors and food court, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; horse-drawn carriage rides, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Christmas Parade at 3 p.m.; Parade of Sleds; live nativity scene at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.; vintage baseball game at 11 a.m.; holiday entertainment and fireworks at 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.mukwonagochamber.org.
