Annual event kicks off holiday season with style
The East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Parade Train will make its annual journey into downtown East Troy on Saturday.
There will be plenty of additional holiday activity at East Troy Village Square Park, 2881 Main St., from 5:30 to 8 p.m., including a tree lighting, winter activities, Holiday Marketplace, photos with Santa and more.
“We are so excited for the return of this family-friendly event. This has been a local holiday tradition for decades and is something people look forward to year after year,” East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vanessa Lenz said. “This year, we are happy to expand on this East Troy tradition and offer new holiday activities outdoors at East Troy Village Square Park.”
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 train is covered in lights and festive decorations. It’s a perfect representation of the season,” Lenz said. “I love seeing the kids’ faces when they see Santa riding outside on the train’s flatcar.”
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.
See the Santa Parade Train
Spectators can catch a glimpse of Santa along County Road ES. The train will stop briefly at the following crossings:
- 5:30 p.m., train departs from 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 at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree
Santa on the Square
In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m.
At East Troy Village Square Park
- Winter activities, including cookie decorating, s’mores station and DIY Photo Station
- 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 Holiday Marketplace will feature vendors offering a variety of holiday gift items.
- Entertainment by Cork N Cleavage inside Ivan’s Backstage
- Kids Crafts
Lions Lodge
- The East Troy Lioness Club will offer walking tacos, hot dogs and hot cocoa in the warmth of the Lions Lodge beginning at 5 p.m.
East Troy Area Historical Society
- The East Troy Area Historical Society will offer refreshments and tours from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit easttroy.org.
