Holiday Light Displays And Community Spirit Shine Brightly In These Southern Wisconsin Towns
Long cold nights, short moments of daylight, let there be light. The German religious reformer Martin Luther began the tradition of the Christmas tree in the 16th century. Historians often credit the earliest examples of a lighted tree (with dozens of candles dangerously affixed to branches) to 17th century Deutschland. Thankfully, electricity came along, and in 1882 Edward Hibbard Johnson one of Edison's partners successfully strung the world's first Christmas tree aglow with decorative (red, white, and blue) bulbs.
And today, LED's and traditional lights, blinking, winking arranged in an infinite number of shapes from Green Bay Packer helmets to dancing elves, and sledding penguins could Edison ever had imagined such intricate applications of his invention? It is the holiday season when electrified light illuminates the night sky of winter. Lakes Edition actively seeks out holiday displays this time of year that shine equally as bright as those in the much larger metropolises of Southern Wisconsin.
This year, our list of small towns takes us to the far reaches of our region. So hop in you car and take a night trip with Lakesedition.com. We hope you enjoy this sampling of the great holiday lights experiences just a short drive from where ever you are in Southern Wisconsin.
DARLINGTON
Christmas trees of colored lights floating on water? 20 years ago Darlington began this holiday tradition on the Pecatonica River. There are five trees in total tethered to the riverbed in the downtown. "I wanted 50 to 100 trees," says Deb Pickett, a civic supporter of her town, and co-owner of Southwest Graphics with her husband Steve but due to the limitations of space more than five would have been problematic. The city was afraid that if there were more trees eventually one of them would plunge over the nearby race.
The Christmas trees are first lit during the Annual Christmas Festival and Parade each year.
Deb credits Darlington city workers for the success of the lighted tree displays. "An amazing city crew goes into the Pecatonica River and puts the anchors in the water," says Deb who is also responsible for reigniting Darlington's holiday light display. The event almost ended faced with financial concerns but mostly a volunteer shortage. Pickett had heard about the city's plan to axe the event. She had an idea, "I approached the Darlington Lion's club asked if they would like to take it on, and they said would love to take it on." Today, thanks largely to the Lion's Clubs' continued support (adding $500 to $1000) and the recruitment of area business sponsorship every year the holiday lights show continues to expand its' offerings. The Lion's Club situated the holiday Lights display at the Pecatonica River Trails Park a lovely city run campground
along the lovely river.
Darlington is also a great day trip for local shopping, riding the Cheese Country Trails on an ATV or snowmobile, and the popular Yellowstone State Park is just a quick drive away.
DETAILS
Darlington Holiday Lights takes places at the Pecatonica River Trails Park from now until January 1st (weather dependent.) Pecatonica River Trails Park is located at 400 Washington St, Darlington.
CAMBRIDGE
Our next night stop takes us to Cambridge. The drive-thru, holiday lights display for this picturesque daytrip destination is not in the downtown but a short trip away on the shores of Lake Ripley. This year is the 11th year of Lake Ripley Park Holiday Lights founded by the Cambridge Foundation. The non-profit organization was created 70 years ago to fund community initiatives and oversea the operation and activities in Lake Ripley Park. The foundation to date has given over $5.7 million to make Cambridge a better place to live. The Cambridge Foundation sited the holiday lights display in Ripley Park as way to activate and bring people into the green space outside the traditional seasons of higher visitations.
Every light and display were made possible by generous donations from community members, local businesses and individuals. "We have been very proud of our quaint display and how it has grown and changed over the years," says Heather Morgan, Recreation and Youth Director with Cambridge Community Activities Program (CCAP), the Lake Ripley Park Holiday Lights coordinator. There are steel frame holiday displays with LED's, displays crafted from wood by Cambridge area artists and trees in Ripley Park festooned with colorful lights. "We are so thankful for how big it is since it is a community funded display. With their generous support this year, we will definitely be able to bring it back next year bigger and brighter." says Heather.
Cambridge is a great destination for locally owned shops, Cam-Rock Park and ice fishing on Lake Ripley. Planning to stay the weekend consider the Lake Ripley Lodge and tell them Lakes Edition sent you!
DETAILS
The Lake Ripley Park Holiday Lights are a half mile long show on display until January 1st.
The display is free to the public but donations are appreciated at the park drop box.
Lake Ripley Park is located northwest of downtown Cambridge at 4310 Park Road, Cambridge.
Call 608-423-8045 for more information.
WAUNAKEE
18 years ago a couple of Waunakee Rotarians envisioned a holiday light show for this historic town located north of Madison. And like the story of other area towns the holiday lights display started small with a few displays and over successive years has grown to the size it is today. "Eight years ago we added a display out on the baseball fields," says Jen Tasker, owner of a local ad agency, and recently elected new president of the Waunakee Rotary Club. It takes a lot of time and dedication to prepare for the lights. "Multiple service organizations help us set up and take it down. It takes up six to eight weeks ahead of time to set up, and one day to take down," says Jen.
The sustainability, and success of Waunakee's holiday lights lies with volunteer dedication and donations from area businesses and organizations. Money donated for the displays is used to refurbish or purchase new lights, and volunteers step up in a big way to change out thousands of old lightbulbs and act as greeters. Service groups from the area sign up to be greeters. Multiple community members and organizations step forward to take on the ambassadorial role at the park's entrance. The Young Conservative Club (YCC), The Waunakee Lions Club, The Girls La Crosse team from Waunakee Highschool, Knights of Columbus, staff from the village administrative office, National Honor Society, The Waunakee Homeroom Club, the Waunakee Highschool's student council, The local Boy Scout troupe, and the Pay It Forward Club (HS) among the many the that volunteer their time. the event is free to the public but donations are always welcome. The money raised is shared among the service organizations who volunteer at Rotary Lights and to the many community projects Rotary supports.
Greeters hand out the Waunakee Rotarians' magazine, and goodies to every car visiting the park. Under Jen's direction, the Rotarians created the magazine specifically for the event. Within the pages visitors will find recipes, a coloring contest, two word searches, mazes and coupons from area sponsoring businesses. Fleet Farm has sponsored this year's event and also donated $10 coupons to hand out. There are also coupons in the magazine for Culvers and local brew pub Lone Girl.
This is the second year that the holiday lights will close the 31st but then re-open on January 6th for the Latin X holiday Three Kings Day. On that night Waunakee high school's Spanish Club will greet visitors serving up hot chocolate and
a slice of Three Kings cake.
Downtown Waunakee is great day trip for shopping and dining.
DETAILS:
The Waunakee Rotary Lights take place at Village Park located 10 Village Park from 4:30-9 pm
until December 31st, and January 6th. For an extra treat tune into
102.5 FM or. 92.1 FM for Christmas music.
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holiday lights displays.
Seasons Greetings from Lakes Edition!
