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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
All Your Burning Questions About East Troy Answered
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MARCH MARCH 2022 2021
VOLUME EDITION11 VOLUME 333, 32, EDITION
You Asked, We Answered Our First Q&A Issue Our first Q&A issue combines two vital things: the real-life concerns of our readers and the knowledge and expertise of our community members.
Bringing Back the Magic
Community = Magic Our second annual Q&A issue combines two vital things: the real-life concerns of our readers and the knowledge and expertise of our community members.
East Troy Lights: Here’s How We Did It
Troy twinkled like never Q.Downtown What isEast being built east of before this December, thanks to the debutoff of the Honey Creek Apartments East Troy Lights – an Road? all new holiday light of Honey Creek attraction. Village of East Troy welcomed The interactive and imaginative lightMP Systems, Inc. during a groundbreaking display experience transported visitors to 18.of lights utilizing the aceremony dazzling Nov. display The electrical utility construction backdrop of the historic East Troy Village company will be constructing the first Square. building in East Troy flocked Business South.to All month, people toPark the square They through are one the of four companies walk lights or see thewithin show PPC from Partners, Inc. family of companies. their vehicles. Other subsidiaries includewatch Carolina Not only could attendees the shows and Pieper Electric. -Power, on the MetroPower hour, every hour - but, with the help Troyphone, will bethey home to MP of aEast mobile were ableSystems, to try to Inc. corporate equipment yard and make their ownoffices, light shows. repair facility. For more information, visit mp-systemsinc.com. Q: How did the light show come to be? Q. Will there be Jamie showsRohrer: at Alpine this year? We finished a proof-of-concept light show Alpineand Valley Music one of the in 2019, although it Theatre, was not publicly largest outdoor amphitheaters in either the country, announced, thousands of people saw has show already announced several shows for the live, on Instagram/Facebook, or summer of 2022. After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19,
Interactive holiday light display brightens season in East Troy
had the chance to interact with it at www. easttroylights.com. Vanessa Lenz: After unveiling this beta version in 2019, the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and our entire community has worked together in 2020 to give people a unique experience in beautiful, historic downtown East Troy this holiday season. The foundation of the project was collaboration with the East Troy Community School District (from 12), our Live Nation will bring4K thetovenue back to life. businesses, attractions andwill residents Dave Matthews Band return coming to Alpine together to make it happen. Valley Music Theatre for a pair of shows July 2 and 3. Q.Rage What makes East is now starting Against the Machine Troy Lights so on special? their 2022 touring July 9 in East Troy, with support from Run the Jewels. Jamie Rohrer: The Knotfest Roadshow tour Quite simply, community: eachheadlined control by Slipknot be stopping East Troy, box was handwill crafted by localinbusinesses Wisconsin a showsoftware this June 4. The on and kids, thefor custom running amphitheater’s newly announced shows also include jam band greats Phish, Aug. to 14. • CONTINUED ON12PAGE 6 Tickets for Alpine shows can be purchased at livenation.com.
This winter, downtown East Troy transformed into a holiday wonderland with the much-anticipated return of East Troy Lights. The interactive and imaginative light See the newly display experience treated visitors to a Behind dazzling display ofreleased lights utilizing the backdrop of the historic East Troy Village the Scenes East Q. When is the East Troy Lions Square. Troy Lights video Fourth of July Festival? For the entire month December, people on of EastTroy flocked to the square to walk through the The East Troy Lions Club will hold its Lights.com! lights or see the show from their vehicles and annual Fourth of July Celebration Friday, got a chance to take control of the lights to July 1 through Sunday, July 3 at Rossmiller create their own holiday magic. Sports Complex and Skate Park (fka Vanessa Lenz, East Troy Area Chamber Amusement Park), 3090 Graydon Ave., of Commerce Executive Director (which East Troy. The festival features the famous This beautiful submittedcarnival by Dogsrides, and Dreams, instantly captured both our furry friend and presents East Troy Lights) and Jamie Rohrer, East Troy Beer photo, Tent (ETBT), photography loving hearts, winning second place (and $100 to East Troy Brewery) in the East East Troy Lights Show Creator, give us Troy an games, fair food andLights live entertainment. Photo Contest. See additional photos at easttroy.org. inside look at East Troy Lights 2021 and why Fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July DOGS AND DREAMS Good Neighbors they are coming back for more. 2 at dark. The parade will start at noon on • CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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Elegant Farmer celebrates 75 years
April 6 Inside Chinuk Sushi & Grill, & el Pedro Taco election Sushi Bar opens in new space on square heats up In celebration of its 75th anniversary, The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, will host a yearlong celebration featuring family fun Troy’s events dining and a variety delicious appreciate what this little town has to East scene isofheating specials. up asfood Chinuk Sushi & Grill, & el offer. Therefore, when the opportunity Pedro Taco officially opened its doors arose to make an investment in our in early February.• CONTINUED ON PAGE 4community’s future, we decided to The much-buzzed-about restaurant take the jump and invest in the East is located at the former East Troy Troy downtown district by bringing Motors site at 2919 Main St., situated Chinuk Sushi & Grill, & el Pedro’s directly west of East Troy Brewery on Taco to East Troy. the Village Square. Q. How did the concept for The long-awaited development is the restaurant come about? the latest in East Troy’s flourishing downtown landscape. After some discussion and Locals Jeff & Vicki McKone, who contemplation, we set out to build a own the business in partnership with commercial structure at 2919 Main St. head chef “Jino” Chinuk Kim, catch us (The lot was purchased in summer up on their new restaurant concept and of 2020 by the Village of East Troy new build on the square. Community Development Authority,
Q.
Why did you choose to open your restaurant in downtown East Troy? We love East Troy! East Troy is our hometown and a great place to live. We’ve watched East Troy’s downtown evolve over the last eight years and love how the square is alive and full of vibrant energy throughout the year. Each season brings its own fun. We want others to enjoy and
which then put out a Request for Proposals to accelerate the development of the site.) With the help of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Community Development Authority of the Village of East Troy and cooperation of the Village of East Troy Board and Planning Commission, we were able to put ideas into reality. We reached out to Chinuk Kim, • CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The Lowdown
The Elegant Farmer is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, call (262) 363-6770 or visit www.elegantfarmer.com.
Why should I vote?
We’ve all been told since elementary school that voting is our civic duty. While high profile national elections draw large numbers of voters, participation in local elections are traditionally low. If you care about East Troy, casting a vote in local elections on April 6 is a must. Village of East Troy, Town of East Troy, Town of Troy and East Troy Community School District races are starting to heat up as several new candidates throw their hats into the ring. You will be deciding who is responsible for many of the government functions that impact your daily life. East Troy Community School District residents will see two referendum questions that will play a major role in the future of East Troy schools.
Head Chef and partner Chinuk ‘Jino’ Kim sends a nigiri platter over the bar at Chinuk Sushi & Grill, & CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 el Pedro Taco, which is in its first weeks of operation, just west of the East•Troy Village Square. LINDEY NEUDORFF PHOTOGRAPHY Good Neighbors