Waupaca celebrates Christmas with concert, holiday tins filled with candy
By Angie Landsverk
This year’s Yuletide Trail will have a different look.
The second annual event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, in downtown Waupaca, but will also include activities to participate in before and past that date.
There will be an opportunity for children to write letters to Santa, and for their parents to pick up free holiday books to read to them.
People will be able to purchase holiday tins filled with candy, kits and coupons, and to also watch a livestreamed holiday concert.
“We know it won’t quite be the same, but we know that the virtual and distanced events and the focus on our Waupaca businesses and organizations will bring the warmth of the holiday into homes throughout our community,” said Tracy Behrendt. “The additional theme this year of ‘all trails lead to home’ really embodies what we hope this event will be – an opportunity for people to still celebrate the holiday season on Dec. 5 and throughout the month of December either safely at a distance or at home.”
She is the director of the Waupaca Historical Society and among those involved in the Waupaca Area Arts and Culture Network.
Like last year, the network is planning the event.
“The 2019 Yuletide Trail was such a fun community event, and we knew from early on this year that we had to find a way to bring it back despite the pandemic,” Behrendt said. “All of us involved in the Waupaca Area Arts and Culture Network have focused on providing a safe event while still inspiring holiday cheer and excitement.”
The Waupaca Historical Society, Waupaca Area Public Library, Waupaca Community Arts Board, Waupaca, King and In Between retailers, Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, Winchester Academy, Danes Hall, Waupaca County Community Aid and Waupaca Rotary Club, city of Waupaca and Waupaca Police Department will participate in the Yuletide Trail.
Marci Reynolds said the network decided to proceed with planning the event “because people need it. We need to have these events.”
She is the president of the arts board.
While a number of activities will take place on Dec. 5, people will be able to participate and enjoy other parts throughout the holiday season.
“It’s not just a one-day event this year because of the pandemic,” Reynolds said. “The kickoff is Nov. 20.”
‘Hygge’ theme
Friday, Nov. 20 is the day this year’s commemorative tin will begin being sold at the Holly History and Genealogy Center, Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, Northern Home and Community First Credit Union.
“Supplies are limited, so we encourage everyone to buy a tin early,” Behrendt said. “The coupon discounts start the weekend after Thanksgiving and run through Christmas.”
Community First Credit Union is sponsoring the tins.
The cost of a tin is $20, with all proceeds going to the historical society.
The large tins have a “hygge” theme.
The Danish word describes a feeling of coziness and warmth at home.
“With the pandemic, having a one-day event with cookies at each business downtown just wasn’t possible or safe,” Behrendt said. “So we asked local businesses to supply candies, kits and other holiday items to prefill the tins.”
The coupon book provides the purchaser with specials or discounts at Waupaca businesses, available only in the tins, she said.
Like last year, the red commemorative tin features a historic photo on the lid.
Behrendt said this year’s photo is of the Hyldgaard home at Whispering Pines Park, which used to be located where Hartman Creek State Park is today.
Free books
This year’s Yuletide Trail will also include free holiday-themed books for children.
Reynolds said the books will be available beginning Monday, Nov. 30, at the library, Farmers State Bank, Hometown Pharmacy and Northern Home.
The library, those three businesses and Winchester Academy are the sponsors of this part of the event.
Five different books will be available, and there will be about 50 copies of each of them.
Each place will give away a different book.
The books will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, she said.
In addition, people will be videotaped reading about 10 different holiday stories.
This will take place ahead of time at the library, Reynolds said.
The books will then by read aloud on the Yuletide Trail Facebook page.
The library will also have Christmas book bundles and holiday ornament kits available for curbside pickup during the Yuletide Trail season.
Santa letters
Children are encouraged to write letters to Santa and place them in the box found in the lobby between the library and City Hall.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Santa will do a neighborhood tour of Waupaca.
Winchester Academy is bringing Santa to Waupaca for the tour, which will begin at 11 a.m. Details of the route will be shared in the weeks leading up to the event.
“People can come out and wave to Santa,” Reynolds said.
Visit the Yuletide Trail Facebook page to see the map.
Santa will arrive at the city square at noon and will then choose some letters and read them aloud, she said.
Children will hear a few letters, wave and see Santa from a distance.
Families will be encouraged to social distance and wear masks.
Toys, mittens
A Toys for Tots drive-thru will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Danes Hall.
Free hats, mittens and scarves made by area residents will also be distributed this day.
Holiday concert
At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, a holiday concert will be live streamed from Danes Hall.
The musicians will include The Weed Cutts Duo; Marci Beaucoup and Fran Rademacher; Nell and Matt Buchman; Joe Jones; Tim Koll and Pam Gusmer; and Ron Reynolds.
The link to watch it will be shared on the Yuletide Trail Facebook page, so people will be able to watch it live.
A video of the concert will also be posted for continued listening.
A reading of “The Christmas Carol” by community member Dick Bidwell will also air on Waupaca FM 96.3 sometime this day, with the time to be determined.