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Hailing the holidays

Photo

Photo by Terry Mayer

Steve Nelson, an East Troy public works employee, puts up Christmas flags on village's square earlier this week.

The Santa Train is coming to town again. The 40th anniversary of the East Troy Electric Railroad's Santa Train with Santa arriving in East Troy by train, is Saturday, Dec. 1. The train will leave Indianhead Park in Mukwonago at 4 p.m. to arrive on the Village Square at 6:30 p.m. For tickets or more information, call (262) 642-3770. File photo.

WALWORTH COUNTY--Holiday activities abound. You can get in the spirit of the season starting today, with the lighting of Christmas trees in Delavan and Palmyra. Or get your photo taken with live reindeer in Lake Geneva, ride the Santa Train in East Troy, build a gingerbread house in Whitewater or go on a cookie walk in Elkhorn, during some of the events coming up next week. Check out a sampling here:

Nov. 23: 

Delavan Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 23, at 5:30 p.m., with Santa arriving on a firetruck at 6 p.m. Mayor Mel will tell his Christmas story and light the tree, downtown Delavan. Harley, the Christmas pony will pose for photos thanks to The Dancing Horses theater. Hot chocolate and cookies served by Market Street Sandwiches. (262) 728-5095, www.delavanwi.org

Palmyra annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 23, with carols, cookies and refreshments all at the Historic Turner Museum, Palmyra, 112 N. Third St., Palmyra. (262) 495-8316

Nov. 24:

Historic Downtown Delavan Holiday Open House, Nov. 24, with pictures with Santa, carriage rides, special sales, refreshments, Delavan. Pictures with Santa at Bradley’s Dept. Store from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your camera. (262) 728-5095, www.delavanwi.org

Breakfast with Santa, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, Geneva Ballroom, Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. The Dance Factory also makes an appearance this day with the “Nutcracker Suite Ballet.” Reservations at (262) 728-7950

Nov. 30:

Tree lighting and Santa reception, Nov. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the square, with Santa arriving to light the tree, then head over to the library for the Santa and Mrs. Claus reception, with crafts, cookies and hot chocolate, downtown Elkhorn. (262) 723- 5788, www.elkhorn-wi.org.

Lighted holiday parade, Nov. 30, beginning at 6 p.m. at Whitten Street and continuing east on Main Street, turning right on Whitewater Street and ending at Cravath Lake Park, downtown Whitewater. (262) 473-2200.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1:

Festival of Lights, Nov. 30 through Dec. 1. On Friday, it’s story time at Caribou Coffee, where children of all ages can listen to a classic Christmas story. Than join in the tree lighting ceremony with Santa at the Riviera. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy various musical performances as artists stroll through the downtown business area. Santa and the live reindeer will also be available for pictures in front of Starbucks Coffee, corner of Center and Main Street. (262) 248-4416, www.lakegenevawi.com.

Saturday, Dec. 1:

Sophie and Shakespeare’s (foster barred owls) Christmas party fundraiser, Dec. 1 at The Riviera in Lake Geneva. This is a fundraiser for Fellow Mortals Wildlife Hospital. Buffet dinner, silent auction, raffles, prize wheel and gift shop. Tickets at (262) 248-5055 or online at www.fellowmortals.org/ christmas2012/

40th anniversary of the Santa Train with Santa arriving in East Troy by train, Dec. 1. The train will leave Indianhead Park in Mukwonago at 4 p.m. to arrive on the Village Square at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at (262) 642-3770.

Midnight Magic: All Aboard for an Electric Christmas old fashioned Christmas celebration, Dec. 1, in Mukwonago with historic trolley rides, pictures with Santa, craft marketplace, horse-drawn carriage ride. Parade at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. (262) 363-7758.

Creating beautiful winter containers, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m., with Sharilyn Smage of Northwind Perennial Farm, 7047 Hospital Road, Burlington. (262) 248-8229, www.northwindperennialfarm.com

Lake Geneva’s 37th annual Great Electric Children’s Christmas Parade, Dec. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. A holiday tradition with local businesses and organizations lighting up the street. Be sure to stroll through town following the parade for holiday shopping and dining specials. (262) 248-4416, www.lakegenevawi.com

A Day in Time Craft Show and Festival of Trees Fundraiser, Dec. 1. Santa visits, and kids corner, A Day in Time, inside Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1229 Park Row, Lake Geneva. (262) 248-2922

Gala Holiday Concert, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., featuring the UW-Whitewater music department, Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, 930 W. Main St., Whitewater. Tickets: (262) 472-2222, www.uww.edu/youngauditorium.

Victorian Christmas Party, Dec. 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Geneva Lake Museum, 255 Mill St., Lake Geneva. Free to all to view the trees, eat cookies, listen to stories, sing songs and take a chance on a raffle. (262) 248-6060, www.genevalakemuseum.org

Geneva Lake Conservancy annual Holly Ball Fundraiser, Dec. 1. This year’s theme is “Keepin’ it Green!” (262) 275-5700, www.genevalakeconservancy.org.

31st annual Christmas Card Town Parade, Dec. 1, beginning at 1:30 p.m., downtown Elkhorn, with novelty acts, floats, mascots and community groups. (262) 7223-5788.

19th annual Holiday Cookie Sale, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, First Congregational Church, 76 S. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn.

Palmyra’s Lioness Christmas Parade, Dec. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. Chili sale, free hot cocoa, cookies and coffee offered by the Palmyra Lioness Club, on Main Street in Palmyra. (262) 495-2503

Milton United Methodist Women hold cookie walk, Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. until cookies are gone, Milton United Methodist Church, 241 Northside Dr., Milton.

Dec. 1-2:

Christmas Express Santa Train, Dec. 1-2, with departures from the Elegant Farmer at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Ride the rails with Santa, at The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago. (262) 363-6774, www.elegantfarmer.com or at the East Troy Railroad Museum, 2002 Church St., East Troy, (262) 642-3263, www.easttroyrr.org

Chamber Holly Days and Open House, Dec. 1-2, downtown Whitewater. (262) 473-4005.

Dec. 2: 

Gingerbread House workshop, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m., Whitewater Country Club. Limit of three builders per house. Children under age 12 welcome with assistance from an adult. Reservations required: Call The SweetSpot, (262) 473-5080.

Christmas Open House, Dec. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agape House, 215 S. Main St., Walworth. Guests can find out about the services provided to girls and young women and enjoy musical entertainment, refreshments and treats. The residents also have made homemade goods which are available for sale. (262) 275-6466

Christmas Band Concert Concert, Dec. 2, at 7 pm. at the Palmyra United Methodist Church, - 122 N. Fifth St., Palmyra. (262) 495-4406

Holly Days Open House, Dec. 2, throughout Whitewater. Savings certificates handed out to shoppers.

Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Frontier Restaurant, Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan. Reservations at (262) 728-7950