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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
NOVEMBER 2022 MARCH 2021
VOLUME EDITION VOLUME 32,33, EDITION 1 4
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.
Community = Magic
t s e i p p a H p Ha
IT’S EAST East Troy Lights: TROY’S 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. The foundation of the project was collaboration with the East Troy Community School District (from 4K to 12), our businesses, attractions and residents coming together to make it happen.
Q.
What makes East Troy Lights so special?
East Troy Lights returns to square for entire month
Q:
How did the light show come to be?
SEASON OF ALL!
above: Your holidays aren’t complete without a visit to East Troy Lights – an interactive holiday light display on the East Troy Village Square. East Troy Lights will feature timed shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., See the newly 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Dec. 3-31 with special events each weekend.
released Behind the Scenes East Troy Lights video on EastTroy Lights.com!
PHOTOS BY LAUREN & ANDY PHOTOGRAPHY AND RYAN RADAJ MEDIA Good Neighbors
Santa Claus is coming to town Dec. 3
Jamie Rohrer: Jamie Rohrer: Quite simply, community: each control We finished a proof-of-concept light show box was hand crafted by local businesses This beautiful photo, submitted by Dogs and Dreams, instantly captured both our furry friend and photography loving hearts, winning second place (and $100 to East Troy Brewery) in the East Troy in 2019, and although it was not publicly and kids, the custom software running on Lights Photo Contest. See additional photos at easttroy.org. announced, thousands of people either saw Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their kick • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 DOGS ANDentourage DREAMS Good will Neighbors the show live, ontoInstagram/Facebook, Take a trip downtown East Troyor off the holiday season in East Troy on Saturday, Dec. 3 this December to see East Troy Lights – a via the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Train. spectacular holiday light show. The beautifully lit four-car train will travel down The interactive and imaginative light display the century-old interurban trolley line between experience will kick off Saturday, Dec. 3, when Mukwonago and East Troy, leaving the Elegant Farmer East Troy Lights will transport you Santa comes to East Troy via the 114-year-old at 5:06 p.m. and arriving at Division Street in East through a dazzling display of lights, East Troy Electric Railroad Santa Parade Train Troy at 6:25 p.m., with brief stops at crossings along set against the backdrop of the historic to light the annual Bob Barutha Memorial the way. (Get details on the train on page 3.) East Troy Village Square. In celebration Christmas Tree. of its 75th In anticipation of Santa’s arrival, festivities will begin Lights will continue with timed anniversary, Elegant 1545 on Lights will The continue withFarmer, timed shows at East Troy Village Square Park at 5:30 p.m., including: shows on the hour at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 Main host the hourSt., at 5Mukwonago, p.m., 6 p.m., will 7 p.m. anda 8 p.m. Elegant Farmer is p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 3 through Dec. yearlong celebration family through Dec. 31. Walk featuring through the lights or see • East TroyThe Area Chamber of Commerce beverage tent open dailyBrewery 9 a.m. tobeer 6 & more 31. Walk through the lights or see the funshow events andyour a variety delicious the from car by of tuning into 90.9 FM. featuring East Troy p.m. Closed Easter, show from your car by tuning into 90.9 food specials. “Watch as the entire downtown East Troy • Winter activities, including s’mores station and DIY Thanksgiving, Christmas FM. Square sparkles in the night in sync with your Photo Station and New Year’s Day. For CONTINUED PAGEof 4 the Admission is free. Each weekend favorite holiday• songs. Or, takeON control • Performances East Troycall High School Cheer & moreby information, will feature special events. For a lights yourself and create your own holiday Dance Team along with Titan Cheer and Factory Stars (262) 363-6770 or visit complete schedule, visit easttroylights. magic,” said Vanessa Lenz, Executive Director, Cheer andwww.elegantfarmer.com. Infinity Dance at 6 p.m. com. East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce. • Christmas carol sing-along led by East TroyWe’ve High all been told since elementary The foundation of the project is School Choir members school that voting is our civic duty. collaboration with the East Troy Community • Santa arrives at East Troy Village Square Park viahigh profile national elections While School District (from 4K to 12), East Troy’s East Troy Fire Department truck to light the Bob draw large numbers of voters, working with students to build the interactive businesses, attractions and residents coming Barutha Memorial Christmas Tree at aboutparticipation 6:30 p.m. in local elections are light show boxes, their efforts have been together to make it happen. followed by debut of East Troy Lights traditionally low. remarkable,” Lenz said. “From East Troy Middle School students • Santa’s Workshop inside Ivan’s Backstage, If 2093 you care about East Troy, casting Several area businesses and organizations, coding light shows to all of our downtown store Division St. featuring Dicken’s ChristmasaCarolers vote in local elections on April 6 is a along with volunteers and donors, are working fronts decking the halls to local businesses • Movie & Refreshments at East Troy Historical must. together to create this unique event to draw Society, 2106 Church St. Village of East Troy, Town of East visitors to the area, including presenting • 2894 on Main, 2894 Main St., will be celebrating Troy, Town of Troy and East Troy partners Sauced Pizzeria, Allan Integrated Santa’s arrival with a menu of cocoa, coffee,Community tea, mulled School District races Control Systems, East Troy Brewery and East wine, hot apple cider and more from 5 to 8 p.m. are starting to heat up as several new Troy Community School District. • Enjoy live Christmas music at East Troycandidates Brewery, throw their hats into the ring. While the show takes place primarily • Saturday, Dec. 3: Santa 2905 Main St. from 4 to 7 p.m. You will be deciding who is outdoors, there will be options to get inside the Parade Train & Santa on the Square • Bake Sale and Hot Cocoa from 4 to 8 p.m. at Realty for many of the government responsible historic spaces and attractions on the square. Executives, 2887 Main St. functions that impact your daily life. • Friday, Dec. 9: East Troy “We’re thrilled to bring back this magical • Following the tree lighting, see Santa from East the Troy Community School District Winter Wine Walk attraction for people of all ages to enjoy the bandstand at East Troy Village Square Park residents will see two referendum most wonderful time of the year in East Troy,” • Saturday, Dec. 17: East Troy For updates, visit easttroy.org. questions that will play a major role in Lenz said. “We’re planning for more lights, Lights Community Day the future of East Troy schools. more interactivity, more activities and more We need your help to fix the light show! Visit one of our • Saturday, Dec. 31: New Year’s holiday magic in 2022.” candy cane friends from the North Pole and help make • CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Eve Ball Drop For more information, visit www. the magic during East Troy Lights, Dec. 3-31. easttroylights.com. JAMIE ROHRER Good Neighbors
What to know before you go…
Elegant Farmer celebrates 75 years
The Lowdown
April 6 election heats up
Why should I vote?
Save the Dates