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NEIGHBORS
A Publication of the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce
EASTTROY.ORG EASTTROY.ORG
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SEPTEMBER 2023 MARCH 2021
VOLUME EDITION VOLUME 32,34, EDITION 1 3
Wisconsin Oven turns 50
You Asked, We Answered Our First Q&A Issue
Celebrates milestone with community Open House
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.
By Vanessa Lenz EAST TROY CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Community = Magic Not just fun & games Did you know?
East Troy Lights: Here’s How We Did It
East Troy home to big businesses
Downtown East Troy twinkled like never before this December, thanks to the debut of By Vanessa Lenz – an all new holiday light East Troy Lights EAST TROY CHAMBER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR attraction. The and we’ve imaginative lightEast In theinteractive past 10 years, witnessed display experience transported visitors to in Troy transform into one of the coolest places aSoutheastern dazzling display of lights utilizing the Wisconsin. backdrop of the historic Village You’ll feel it when youEast walkTroy along the Square. streets of our downtown historic Village All month, to the square to Square, with a people historyflocked that is well-preserved 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. and now ripe with a little bit of everything: a mean brewing scene, diverse event line up and Vanessa Lenz: dining that beta put cities fiveintimes Afterexperiences unveiling this version 2019, its size shame (think Neapolitan woodfire the EasttoTroy Area Chamber of Commerce pizzeria, farm-to-fork café and and our entire community has award-winning worked BBQ all in within together 2020walking to give distance). people a unique East Troy also homehistoric to the most desirable experience inisbeautiful, downtown East Troy this holiday season. • CONTINUED PAGE 3 The foundation of the ON 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: How did the light
Troy Lights so special?
show come to be?
Jamie Rohrer: We finished a proof-of-concept light show in 2019, and although it was not publicly announced, thousands of people eitherthe saw As the summer months melt away, the show live, on Instagram/Facebook, or countdown begins for the love of all things fall. From the spookiest Halloween events to some of the best festivals to our favorite way to see fall foliage, here’s how to get the most out of this season.
This digital billboard ran on I-43 South (.24 miles west of Highway 100) for 16 weeks as part of a partnership with the Village of East Troy Community Development Authority. This campaign was part of the push by the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce to show off East Troy as one of the coolest places in Southeastern Wisconsin in order to maximize the economic impact of travel and tourism to East Troy. Thanks for the ad design Jamie Rohrer of Dither Studio! JAMIE ROHRER Good Neighbors
SeeON the newly • CONTINUED PAGE 10
released Behind the Scenes East Troy Lights video on EastTroy Lights.com!
12 ways to jumpstart your season
Q. What makes East
Jamie Rohrer: Quite simply, community: each control box was hand crafted by local businesses and kids, the custom software running on younger than 2 ride •for free. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Dinner & Brunch Trains The Dinner Train season starts continues throughout the fall with the following: Sept. 30 - Oktoberfest Oct. 7 - Autumn Glow Oct. 14 - Sweetest Day Oct. 21 – Surf-N-Turf Oct. 28 - Adult Halloween The popular Sunday Brunch Trains are back, with departures on Sept. 17 and Oct. 15.
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 Lights Photo Contest. See additional photos at easttroy.org.
Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 – 5-acre family-friendly farm scene corn maze DOGS AND DREAMS Good Neighbors with easy in and out access for all ages. New Trick or Treat Trains this year is Laser Tag, a family-friendly Bring your kids or grandkids in costume game that everyone ages 8 and older can and take a train from the Depot in East play. Troy to Town Hall Park, where kids can go Adding to the fun, the event features “Trick-or-Treating,” play games, and enjoy delicious specialty foods, including caramel the playground equipment before our trip apples, warm cider donuts, pulled pork, back to downtown East Troy. homemade chili and more in the Smilin’ Nov. 24 through Barn Café. Dec. 17 - Christmas Trains The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St. The railroad’s magical ride will take (County Roads ES and J), is open from 9 is you from the EastThe TroyElegant DepotFarmer to Santa’s a.m. to 6 p.m. year round. Orchard hours are open daily 9 a.m. to 6 workshop located at the Elegant Farmer. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call p.m. Closed Easter, Here children canThanksgiving, visit Santa and take a (262) 363-6771 or visit elegantfarmer.com. Christmas photo with the jolly himself. andelf New Year’s Day. For SPEND FIRST FRIDAY For full schedule information and tickets, more information, call (262) 363-6770 visit call (262) 642-3263 or visit or easttroyrr. ON THE SQUARE org. www.elegantfarmer.com. East Troy’s First Fridays We’ve event all been toldwill since elementary series conclude with school that voting is our civic GO APPLE Hometown Harvest from 5 to 8duty. p.m. on While high1 profile elections PICKING Friday, Sept. at Eastnational Troy Village Square draw large numbers of voters, Whether you’re Park, 2881 Main St. participation in local elections continuing a family Say farewell to summer and are ring in the traditionally low. tradition or starting season of falling leaves and temperatures If ayou care about East Troy, a new one this fall, with celebration featuring livecasting music a vote in local elections on April 6 istent, a The Elegant Farmer by Wise Jennings, food trucks, beer must. artisans, makers and more. will offer a family fun crafters, Village of East Town of East farm experience with For details, visitTroy, easttroy.org. Troy, Town of Troy and East Troy the return of its annual CommunityGRAB School District Autumn Harvest Festival THE races are starting to heat up as several new weekends Sept. 9 through PERFECT candidates throw their hatsCUP into the ring. Oct. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Grab a great, local You will be deciding who is cup of Twelve varieties of apples coffee at East Troy’s café 2894 responsible for many of the government can be picked right from the tree Onthat Main, located ondaily the northwest functions impact your life. on the farm’s orchard and pumpkins of corner of the East Troy Village Square. East Troy Community School District all shapes and sizes selected from the patch. 2894 on Main, will referendum be open on Fridays residents will see two Enjoy beautiful fall colors aboard and Saturdays untilplay 8 p.m. serving light questions that will a major role in a tractor-pulled hayride, pony rides or dinner fare.of East Troy schools. the future vintage trolley ride. The East Troy Electric 2894 on Main’s menu focuses on local Railroad’s turn-of-the-century train makes a and organic options, packing in the flavor • CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 stop at The Elegant Farmer Depot. The Elegant Farmer will also offer a • CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
Elegant Farmer celebrates 75 years
1.
TAKE A TROLLEY TRIP
In celebration of its 75th the changing anniversary,Take TheinElegant Farmer,leaves 1545 aboard the East Troy Electric Main St., Mukwonago, will host a Railroad, Wisconsin’s lastfamily original yearlong celebration featuring electric line. fun events and a variety of delicious The East Troy Electric Railroad continues food specials. its 2023 season with trains running every Saturday and Sunday. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Saturday trains depart on the hour from the East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St. between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday trains are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Fall Harvest Trains run Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 9-Oct. 22 and depart from the East Troy Depot at on the hour between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The East Troy Electric Railroad operates the last 7 miles of original track from The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company interurban system, which had 200 miles of track in and around Milwaukee. Fares are $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and $9.50 for youth 3-14. Children
Wisconsin Oven Corporation, one of East Troy’s most respected and largest businesses, will be celebrating its 50-year anniversary with an Open House this September. Wisconsin Oven Corporation, which serves a wide range of industries, has been manufacturing the highest quality industrial heat treating equipment since 1973. The community is invited to celebrate the milestone during an Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The event will feature tours, food and refreshments. Through the years, Wisconsin Oven Corporation has made critical moves to become a leader in the industry, developing new technology, partnering with the nation’s top brands and spreading its team around the country. Wisconsin Oven’s massive facilities have gained them a competitive edge, allowing it to build some of the largest ovens in the industry.
Special Events Sept. 9- Oct. 22 – Harvest Fest Trains (round-trip rides to the Elegant Farmer, where you can enjoy apple picking, a corn maze, and hayrides)
The Lowdown
April 6 election heats up
Why 3. should I vote?
2.
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For updates on the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce event line up, visit easttroy.org.