Christmas Trains at the East Troy Railroad Museum, which begin running on Saturdays and Sundays starting Nov. 27 and run through Sunday, Dec. 19, are now sold out.
You can still see Santa aboard the East Troy Electric Railroad's Santa Parade Train, when it makes its annual journey into downtown East Troy on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, the beautifully lit four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.
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. The Schuster’s Department store chain sponsored the parade, established in 1928, to kick off the Christmas shopping season. It disappeared in 1955 with the demise of the Milwaukee Electric Lines interurban and streetcar system.
Spectators can catch a glimpse of Santa along County Road ES. The train will slow briefly at the following crossings:
• 5:06 p.m., train departs at The Elegant Farmer
• 5:25 p.m., N. Army Lake Road – Army Lake Camp
• 5:42 p.m., Army Lake Camp
• 5:56 p.m., St. Peter’s Road
• 6:13 p.m., Byrnes Street
• 6:25 p.m., Division Street
• 6:30 p.m., Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree & debut of East Troy Lights
EAST TROY LIGHTS
Take a trip to downtown East Troy to see East Troy Lights – a spectacular holiday light show!
The interactive and imaginative light display experience will kick off Saturday, Dec. 4, when Santa comes to East Troy via the 113-year-old East Troy Electric Railroad Santa Parade Train to light the annual Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree.
Lights will continue with timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Dec. 31. Walk through the lights or see the show from your car by tuning into 90.9 FM.
Watch as the entire downtown East Troy Square sparkles in the night in sync with your favorite holiday songs. Or, take control of the lights yourself and create your own holiday magic!
Find out more at easttroylights.com.
SEE SANTA ON THE SQUARE
In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m., including:
• Cub Scouts Pack 92 will sell To Go chili, chili dogs and baked goods.
• Winter activities, including s’mores station and DIY Photo Station
• Performances by East Troy High School Cheer & Dance Team along with Titan Cheer and Factory Stars Cheer and Infinity Dance at 6 p.m.
• Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park via East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree at about 6:30 p.m. followed by debut of East Troy Lights
• Santa's Workshop inside Ivan's Backstage, 2093 Division St.
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
The health and safety of our attendees, business owners and residents are clearly the most important and we are planning accordingly. By spreading out activities and viewing spaces out across the outdoor park, guests can safely enjoy all of the festivities while maintaining proper physical distancing and enjoying the outdoors.
The East Troy Railroad Museum operates regular 14-mile round trip excursions from its historic East Troy depot and museum to Indianhead Park in Mukwonago, with a stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli. This not-for-profit railroad is operated and managed by over 130 volunteers committed to the preservation of historic trolleys and interurban railcars.
For more information, visit www.easttroyrr.org or call (262) 642-3263.
easttroy.org