Trees on Parade brings holiday cheer
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
While students from two area schools belted out Christmas songs Dec. 2 at Twin Lakes’ Central Park, the community came together in anticipation of the annual Trees on Parade and Holiday Shopping annual tree lighting ceremony, according to Marilyn Trongeau director of the Twin Lakes Chamber and Business Association.
Following the Lakewood School student performance, the Wilmot Union High School chorus came on to relieve the younger students, and attracted even more people to the community.
“The Tree Lighting Ceremony brought a lot of people to town to enjoy the students from Lakewood School and Wilmot High School chorus,” she said. “I like that the students and teachers are willing to participate and make the tree lighting into an event that brings a lot of people to town.”
Throughout the weekend, people browsed through items sold by a reported 18 vendors at St. John’s Community Center, which hosted Trees on Parade and a gingerbread contest.
Trees on Parade winners
Plaques were awarded to the top three trees in different categories, with Pam’s Appliance winning the business category with their “Holiday Express” themed tree.
Coming in second was Mad Dan’s for “A Mobile Christmas” and placing third was “The Curse has been Reversed by Athletico.”
For the junior category, Randall Consolidated School took first, Messiah Christian Preschool’s “Snowflakes Sent From Up Above Remind us of God’s Love” finished second while “Frosty the Snowman” by Lakewood School placed third.
Finishing first in the general category was a tree produced by Calvary United Church of Christ/Wilmot United Methodist for its “God’s Light has come into the world” themed tree.
The Twin Lakes Seniors Club finished second for its “Celebrating Seniors” display and taking third for its “Alice in Winter Wonderland” tree was the Community Library.
Wilmot sweeps the gingerbread contest
Students from Wilmot notched the top three spots in the gingerbread contest, with the school’s second period baking class taking first for its “Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ Northwood Retreat creation.”
Finishing second was the first period class’ “Nightmare Before Christmas” and taking third for its “Christmas in New York” structure was the fifth hour class.
Fortunate for the community
With Christmas approaching, Trongeau expressed gratitude toward the community for pitching in, including the Boy Scouts for serving warm refreshments, Village President Howard Skinner and Lakewood School Board President Rhett Suhre.
“We would like to thank the students, teachers and parents, Rhett Suhre for donating the sound system, the Boy Scouts, Santa and Village President Howard Skinner for helping with three tree lighting,” she said.
List of community sponsors:
Event Sponsor – Allied Plastics Inc.
Coloring Contest – BMO Harris Bank
Kids Korner – Mad Dan’s Restaurant
Door Prize – Debby Miller of New Era Realty
Tree Sponsors – O’Brien’s Pit Stop, Bruce H. Melling CPA PFS and CFP, People’s Bank, Law Offices of Smith and Janek, and Vern’s His and Hers Barber Shop.