Twin Lakes ready for holiday cheer

This tree, decorated with a “Grinch who stole Christmas” theme was voted winner of the 2014 Trees on Parade decorating contest in Twin Lakes. The 2015 event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
This tree, decorated with a “Grinch who stole Christmas” theme was voted winner of the 2014 Trees on Parade decorating contest in Twin Lakes. The 2015 event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Trees on Parade is this weekend

By Jason Arndt

Staff Writer

Holiday joy and enthusiasm are expected to fill the Village of Twin Lakes at this weekend’s 10th annual Trees on Parade and Holiday Shopping events.

Trees on Parade, presented by the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association, runs Friday and Saturday.

Allied Plastics, Inc. is this year’s event sponsor.

Chamber Director Marilyn Trongeau said it is an opportunity for the community to come together and get revved up for the holiday season.

“It is a nice community event we have, we usually have about 600 that come through in two days,” Trongeau said. “It is just a way to get people in the holiday spirit.”

The event, held at St. John’s Church Community Center, 701 N. Lake Ave., currently has 14 entries in the tree-decorating contest, with four openings left. Trees on Parade is open Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Since its start, there have been some rivalries between people for the best-decorated tree, she added.

Tree decorating competition is in three categories: junior, business and general.

Area youth and school organizations enter in the junior categories, while local businesses sponsor their categories. The general category is open to anyone.

The public votes on the best trees, with winners receiving a plaque.

Local businesses sponsoring trees are Bruce Melling CPA, PFS, CFP, Advantage Title and Closing Services, Peoples Bank, Brian Hochschild CPA, Bahr and Kadlec along with Manny’s Snack Shack.

“I will probably have (other) trees all the way around, not necessarily for the contest,” Trongeau said.

Additionally, the Gingerbread House Contest, geared toward children 12 years of age and older, returns for the second straight year.

Organizations participating in the gingerbread contest include students in the culinary department of Wilmot Union High School.

Aside from tree and gingerbread house contest, a coloring contest sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, will be held.

Entries from the coloring contest will arrive from area schools in the coming days, Trongeau said.

Other holiday activities will coincide with the Trees on Parade events in the village.

Cost of admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

On Friday prior to the 6 p.m. village tree lighting ceremony at Central Park, which will be handled by Village President Howard Skinner, activities and concessions are available beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“I like it – it is nice having people there together, getting ready for the holiday season,” Skinner said.

While Boy Scout troops sell hot chocolate, choir students from Wilmot will sing “Deck the Halls,” “Adeste Fideles” and “Stille Nacht.”

Door prizes, including a 10.1 quad-core tablet donated by sponsor Associated Bank, are available.

Mad Dan’s will sponsor the Kids Korner and feature hands-on activities.

Santa will pay a visit at both the tree lighting ceremony Friday and also at the Twin Lakes Fire Station, 236 E. Main St. Saturday.

“It is a comfortable place to visit with Santa,” said Trongeau.

However, it would not have been possible without the help and support of area business, she added.

“We have a lot of businesses that help us put this on,” she said.


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