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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
&
NOVEMBER 2023 MARCH 2021
VOLUME EDITION VOLUME 32,34, EDITION 1 4
You Asked, We Answered
Your holidays aren’t complete without a visit to East Troy Lights – an interactive holiday light display on the East Troy Village Square, which kicks off when Santa comes to town on Saturday, Dec. 2. East Troy Lights will feature timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 2-31. Watch the Lights come to life with a special immersive East Troy Lights Live show on Fridays & Saturdays in December at 6 and 7 p.m.
Our First Q&A Issue
Our first Q&A issue LAUREN & ANDY PHOTOGRAPHY Good Neighbors combines two vital things: the real-life concerns of our readers and the knowledge and expertise of our community members.
Community = Magic
East Troy Lights: Here’s How We Did It
Downtown East Troy twinkled like never before this December, thanks to the debut of East Troy Lights – an all new holiday light attraction. The interactive and imaginative light display experience transported visitors to a dazzling display of lights utilizing the backdrop of the historic East Troy Village Square. All month, people flocked to the square to walk through the lights or see the show from their vehicles. Not only could attendees watch the shows - on the hour, every hour - but, with the help of a mobile phone, they were able to try to make their own light shows.
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. See the newly The foundation of the project was released Behind collaboration with the East Troy Community the Scenes East School District (from 4K to 12), our businesses, attractions and residents coming Troy Lights video together to make it happen. on EastTroy Lights.com! the 115-year-old East Troy Electric Railroad “Join us this December for a oneQ. What East Santamakes Parade Train to light the Bob Barutha of-a-kind experience and a heaping Q: How did the light Troy Lights so special? Memorial Christmas Tree. dose of holiday magic. Think show come to be? East Troy Lights will transport you through Lights will continue daily with timed dazzling interactive light tunnels, Jamie Rohrer: a dazzling display of lights, set against the oncommunity: the hour at 5each p.m.,control 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hot chocolate, cookie decorating, Jamie Rohrer: Quiteshows simply, backdrop of the historic East Troy Village Dec. 31. live performances and more,” We finished a proof-of-concept light show box wasthrough hand crafted by local businesses This beautiful photo, submitted by Dogs and Dreams, instantly captured both our furry friend and Square. Lights will continue with timed photography loving hearts, second place (and $100 to East Troy Brewery) in the East Troy Thecustom East Troy Area running Chamberonof Commerce said Vanessa Lenz, winning Executive in 2019, and although it was not publicly and kids, the software shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and Lights at easttroy.org. is boosting the magic factor in 2023 with the Director, East TroyPhoto AreaContest. See additional7photos announced, thousands of people either saw p.m. Dec. 2 through Dec. 31. • CONTINUED PAGE 6 DOGS AND DREAMS Good Neighbors addition of East Troy LightsON Live. Watch East Chamber of Commerce. the show live, on Instagram/Facebook, or New this year is East Troy Lights Live: Take a trip to downtown East Troy this Troy Lights come to life with this special “Watch as the entire Watch the Lights come to life with a special December to see East Troy Lights – a immersive East Troy Lights show at immersive show at 6 and 7 p.m. on Fridays & downtown East Troy Square spectacular holiday light show. 6 and 7 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays in Saturdays in December. sparkles in the night in sync with December. Admission is free. The interactive and imaginative light Inspired by the timeless musicals and winter your favorite holiday songs. Or, take For a complete schedule, display experience will kick off Saturday, wonderlands, this immersive experience will visit easttroylights.com. Dec. 2, when Santa comes to East Troy via • CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 capture the spirit of the season.
What to know before you go…
East Troy Lights brings back the magic!
Elegant Farmer celebrates 75 years
In celebration of its 75th anniversary, The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, will host a yearlong celebration featuring family fun events and a variety of delicious food specials.
Santa Claus is coming to town by rail Dec. 2
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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.
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Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their entourage will kick off the holiday season in East Troy on Saturday, Dec. 2 via the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Train. The beautifully lit four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy, which leaves the Elegant Farmer at 5:05 p.m. and arrives at Division Street in East Troy at 6:25 p.m., with brief stops at crossings along the way. The original East Troy Christmas Parade train, started by the East Troy Jaycees and the railroad in 1972, was a historic reproduction of the Schuster’s Christmas Parade in Milwaukee. In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m., including: • East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Make the Magic Concession & Merch Stand • Winter activities, including s’mores station and DIY Photo Station
April 6 election Turn on the Twinkle with Candy Cane Adventure! heats up
Santa, Mrs. Claus and their entourage will make their annual journey to East Troy aboard the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Parade Train on Saturday, Dec. 2. The lighting of the Bob Barutha Community Christmas Tree and debut of year 4 of East Troy Lights will take place at 6:30 p.m. at East Troy Village Square Park.
We need your help to fix the light show! Grab a wand and visit one of the Candy Cane Adventure friends from the North Pole and help make the magic during East Troy Lights, Dec. 2-31.
PHOTO SUBMITTED Good Neighbors
JAMIE ROHRER Good Neighbors
You can help turn on the twinkle at East Troy Lights with the newly expanded Candy Cane Adventure, Dec. 2-31. Grab a Candy Cane Adventure wand and all been told sinceBook elementary newWe’ve East Troy Lights Comic and find school that voting is our civic duty. the interactive Candy Cane friends on the East While high profile elections Troy Village Square to national enter a world of holiday draw large numbers of voters, magic during the immersive month-long event. participation in local elections are to Unlock the power of the Candy Canes traditionally low. control the lights! If you care about East casting Wands are available for Troy, purchase at the East a vote in local elections on April 6 is a Stand Troy Lights Make the Magic Concession must. at East Troy Village Square Park (on Fridays & Village of East Troy, Town Sauced of East Pizzeria Saturdays), East Troy Brewery, Troy, Town of Troy andAll East Troy in the East or Home on the Square. students Community School District raceswill make Troy Community School Districts are starting to heat up as wands at school as part of aseveral specialnew project candidates their Elementary hats into thePTO. ring. thanks to thethrow East Troy You are willsobethankful deciding is Troy “We to who the East responsiblePTO for many of the government Elementary and East Troy Community functions that impact your daily School District for partnering withlife. the East East Troy Community School on District Troy Area Chamber of Commerce this residentsproject, will seebased two referendum STEAM on real life applications, questions willaplay a majoropportunity role in in order to that provide meaningful the students future oftoEast Troy schools. for be involved in the community outside of the school campus,” said Vanessa CONTINUED Lenz, Executive•Director of theON EastPAGE Troy3Area Chamber of Commerce.
Why should I vote?