Grafton’s holiday extravaganza kicks off with tree lighting Sunday

Grafton’s annual celebration of everything holiday starts this weekend with the annual Christmas tree lighting and runs through the new year with the home decorating contest.

This year’s events will follow the theme “Have Your Elf a Merry Little Christmas.”

Throughout the season Ernie the Elf will visit Grafton businesses that people can follow on the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

Grafton’s holiday activities have become a tradition for many in the community and the surrounding area, Chamber Executive Director Elizabeth Mueller said.

“That’s the key word — tradition,” she said. “And the home-town feeling. Forty-three years for a parade, I think that says a lot. These events bring kids home — people come to town to be with family for Thanksgiving and they make it a point to be at the parade.”

Entries in the holiday decorating contest must be registered by noon Friday, Nov. 17.

Homes in the village and town of Grafton are eligible to enter.

Participating homes will be listed on a map that can be downloaded at www.grafton-wi.org.

People may drive by the houses from Monday, Dec. 11, through Monday, Jan. 1, and vote for their favorite at the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page until Dec. 31.

In addition, the Chamber will judge the houses. Prizes will be given to the owners of the houses that garner the top three vote totals from the judges and from the public.

The tree lighting will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Lumberyard Plaza.

In addition to lighting the 20-foot tree at the Lumberyard, the event will also light four trees at Paramount Plaza in downtown.

Fifteen 7-foot-tall elves decorated by sponsoring businesses will also help give the plaza a festive look. People can vote for their favorite elves beginning this weekend.

During the tree lighting event, the Grafton High School Chamber Singers will perform and Jolly the Elf will collect children’s letters to Santa.

Mueller asked that parents make sure the letters have a return address that is legible so Santa and Mrs. Claus can respond to the letters collected.

Hot chocolate and cookies will also be served during the event.

Registrations are also being taken for the annual Breakfast With Santa, to be held from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Circle B Recreation Center in the Town of Cedarburg.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children for the breakfast that includes all-you-can eat pancakes with toppings, sausage links, applesauce, doughnut holes, juice, milk, water and coffee.

Those attending will be able to pose for photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus and other costumed characters, get their faces painted and write letters to Santa, among other activities.

Reservations are required by Monday Nov. 20, and can be made through the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce.

The 43rd annual Christmas parade will start at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Washington Street, head east to Wisconsin Avenue and then south through downtown beginning at 11 a.m. Nov. 25.

The parade attracts more than 10,000 spectators, Mueller said, and this year will feature more than 120 units.

The highlight, of course, is the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“We have the largest Christmas parade in southeast Wisconsin,” Mueller said.

For more information, call the Chamber at (262) 377-1650 or visit grafton-wi.org.