For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – For the fourth year, downtown Tomahawk will become a winter wonderland, as Hometown Christmas is slated for Friday, Dec. 9.
Organizer Roxanne Consolver said this year’s holiday festivities in Tomahawk started with the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree at the east end of W. Wisconsin Ave. on Friday, Nov. 25.
The tree was donated by Will Garske, in memory of his sister, Leah, who passed away earlier this year.
“Leah had Down syndrome, but she didn’t know she was different,” Consolver stated. “Will described her as inspirational in his life. There is a pink butterfly and angel wings on the tree in her memory.”
The lights on the tree were donated by the family of Brandan Biever in his memory.
Biever passed away earlier this year. Consolver noted that the tree lighting was held on what would have been Biever’s 24th birthday, and those in attendance sang “Happy Birthday” for him. Lime green ornaments glow on the tree in memory of Biever.
Foley’s Tree Service cut the tree down – or, as Consolver said, “maybe up.”
“The tree was the top of a 100-plus-foot tree, and Foley’s Tree Service cut the tree, used a crane to lift it into the sky and onto a truck to be hauled to the location at the east end of Wisconsin Ave.,” Consolver explained. “Nick and the City of Tomahawk crew put the tree in the stand and hung the lights and the magnificent star, donated by Tomahawk Main Street. Santa lit the tree, along with Brandan’s nephew – the definition of community for sure.”
Santa Claus stopped by City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 26, and kids had the opportunity to get their pictures taken with him. Vicky’s Photoshop provided the professional photos free of charge.
Consolver said Terry and Kelly Westberg donated the trees that adorn the council chambers, “turning it into a winter wonderland.”
“The Westbergs have been donating the trees for the Christmas events for many years, dating back to Winter Wonderland in early 2000s,” Consolver stated.
The trees in City Hall are decorated by community organizations, and this year, Park City Credit Union, Hometown Christmas and Remnant Fellowship had the honors.
Hometown Christmas again sponsored a Parade Princess Contest this year. Consolver explained that girls ages five through 10 could enter, and votes were collected at Standard Mercantile from mid-November through Friday, Dec. 2.
2022’s Parade Princess was slated to be announced on Monday, Dec. 5. Last year’s inaugural Parade Princess was Hope Garske.
All of the past weeks’ festivities have been leading up to the main event, Hometown Christmas, on Friday, Dec. 9.
The lineup for the Christmas Parade will be at 3:30 p.m. at the east end of W. Wisconsin Ave. The parade will make its way west to TTT, formerly Fusion, at the west end of W. Wisconsin Ave.
Consolver noted that the east-to-west direction of the parade is a reverse from previous years.
The Parade Princess will be crowned at 4:15 p.m., and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. Entrants are encouraged to register on the parade’s Facebook page (www.bit.ly/3B49B18) or in-person at TTT before the parade.
After the parade, live displays will be featured in the windows of downtown businesses from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas Memories.”
Consolver noted that there will be more than 50 live mannequins, including the Grinch, Santa, sugarplum fairies, the Who’s in Whoville, carolers, elves on a shelf and more.
The Tomahawk Fire Department and the Powers family will sponsor a warming fire for those strolling through downtown.
“But the magic does not end there,” Consolver said.
The night of Hometown Christmas kicks off the Candy Cane Walk, which will run until Thursday, Dec. 22. Those who want to take part can pick up a map, find the candy canes in the stores, get a sticker and drop into the box at Diamond Rock Glass Studio for a chance to win a colossal Christmas stocking full of goodies.
Consolver said Tomahawk’s Hometown Christmas was originally a dream she shared with Mary Smith and Dalpha Halvorson. Now, Michelle Arnott and Terry Bucaro, along with many helpers behind the scenes, pitch in to “return Christmas to our hometown, like it used to be when we were kids.”
“Hometown Christmas shopping, community fellowship, possibly some snow, and well, magic,” Consolver said. “Like a Hallmark card.”
