City readies for the holidays

WAUPACA – The Waupaca Area Arts and Culture Network has announced the annual Waupaca’s Yuletide Celebration will take place from Dec. 4 to Dec. 7.
The celebration starts Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. with a holiday parade featuring Santa. The parade will begin at Trinity Lutheran Church on Badger Street and end at Danes Hall. Immediately following the parade, Mayor Brian Smith and Santa will welcome the community and light the 18-foot Christmas tree next to Danes Hall plaza. The Community Theatre singers will then lead everyone in holiday carols around the tree.
The community can also enjoy a $2 movie at the Rosa Theatre on Thursday evening, with all proceeds supporting the Yuletide Celebration event. Waupaca’s Rosa Theatre will show a holiday favorite, “Elf,” at 4 p.m. and 7:45 pm.
On Friday, Dec. 5, the film, “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” will be shown at the Waupaca Area Public Library at 6 pm. Also, visit Bethany Home’s Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m. at Light Up Bethany—everyone is welcome to vote on their favorite tree and enjoy treats, music and a movie.
The big event, Yuletide Trail, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shops and restaurants will be open in downtown Waupaca and in King. The Holly Jolly Trolley will run from the Chain to Main Street with entertainment all day. The free trolley stops will be on East Fulton Street in front of the Waupaca Area Public Library and in King on County Hwy QQ.

For those who purchased a commemorative cookie tin, cookies will be given out at more than 20 cookie stops downtown and in King. Cookie tins are currently on sale at the Holly History and Genealogy Center, Community First Credit Union, Northern Home and the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. Tins are $25 and include a cookie walk map and coupons for area businesses. All proceeds support the Waupaca Historical Society, thanks to a generous donation from Community First Credit Union.
Also on December 6 at Yuletide Trail, families can stop by the Waupaca Area Public Library for a storytime at 10 a.m. and activities until 12 p.m. with the Waupaca Arts Hub. And Danes Hall on North Main Street will again host their Children’s Christmas Party from 12 to 3 p.m., with Santa visiting from 12 to 2 p.m.
Mad Dog and Merrill, local grilling duo, will also be in front of the library from 10 to 11 a.m., grilling and enjoying the festivities. They will be recording segments for a future show to air throughout the Midwest.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, shoppers can again visit downtown Waupaca and King for their holiday gifts.
“The Yuletide Celebration truly captures the spirit of the season,” said Tracy Behrendt, Committee Chair. “From the parade and tree lighting to the shopping, cookie walk, and family activities, it’s a joyful way for our community to come together and celebrate the holidays in Waupaca.”
Throughout the month of December, downtown Waupaca will be decorated for the holidays. In front of the Library and City Hall, local businesses and organizations will decorate 12 Artful Trees, which will be on display through December. Pine boughs and lights will fill the downtown pots, and the City Bandstand will be adorned with a 10-foot Christmas tree and garland.
For more details about Waupaca’s Yuletide Celebration, visit the Facebook event or www.waupacahistoricalsociety.org/yuletidecelebration.
This four-day event is made possible by event sponsors Community First Credit Union, Shindig, Rosa Theatre, and the Waupaca Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.