Dec. 4 kicks off lots of area holiday activities, Dec. 11 continues events
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Area activities abound this weekend, all focusing on the Christmas season, and fittingly so since we have entered the season of advent, which means “coming” in Latin. Christmas is certainly coming, along with snow and all that befits winter in Wisconsin.
Holiday Shop, Sip, and Support
The Merrill Enrichment Center/Expo Center at 303 N. Sales St. in Merrill will host Holiday Shop, Sip, and Support on Friday, Dec. 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Six local boutiques will showcase their goods and clothing, and eleven direct sales vendors will feature their wares for sale – from children’s books to kitchen items and cleaning products, from jewelry to clothing and bags, to holiday treat boxes. Attendees who wear their ugly Christmas sweaters or other festive attire will have a chance to win gift certificates to the Enrichment Center Craft Shop. And attendees can enjoy a snack and a mocktail while they shop.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the local Christmas Spirit program.
Christmas parade
Merrill’s annual Christmas parade will begin Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5:00 p.m. The parade route will travel from S. Genesee St. and go East on W. Main St. towards the Courthouse, traveling the “wrong way” down on E. 2nd St. to E. 1st St. and then E. Main St. Along the way, Santa, the highlight of the parade for most children, will be stop at Banker’s Square to light the Christmas Tree in downtown Merrill on E. Main St.
Gazebo tree lighting
Another tree will be lit on Dec. 4, as well. The Christmas tree in the gazebo at Normal Park will be lit for the first time on the evening of Dec. 4 and will then be lit each evening through the holiday season.
O’Tannenbaum
The annual O’Tannenbaum festival of trees will take place at St. Stephens UCC, 903 E. Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for kids, with the youngest children being free. All of the decorated trees, wreaths, and gift baskets on display will be raffled off. All proceeds will go to support 4-H projects and other charitable purposes in the community.
Park Lane Luminaria
The Park Lane neighborhood will hold their annual candlelight display on Dec. 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Drive through the neighborhood on Merrill’s south side near Bell Tower Residence and Aspirus Merrill Hospital to enjoy the display.
An old-fashioned Christmas festival
Willow Springs Garden, will hold an old-fashioned Christmas festival on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Highlights of the weekend include a Christmas Feast on Saturday and Christmas Brunch on Sunday, plus food and beverages available for purchase all day long, in addition to horse-drawn wagon rides, making Christmas crafts, a coloring contest, music, and a Lantern Loft Saturday evening. Admission to the festival is free, and the cost for activities varies. Location is 5480 Hillcrest Dr, Wausau, south of Merrill.
Living Nativity of Christmas
Trinity Lutheran Church, 107 N. State St., Merrill, will hold their Living Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Visitors can walk or drive through to hear and see the Christmas story retold with live characters and animals, pet the animals, get free chili or chicken and wild rice soup and warm apple cider, and check out the Christmas cookie bake sale in the church basement. Free children’s gifts for the first 120 children.
Free Santa event at Pine River Fire Department
On Saturday, Dec. 11, Santa will be at the Pine River Volunteer Fire Department Department, N1622 Range Line Rd. in Merrill, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to visit with children, and parents can bring their cameras to snap a photo of their child with Santa by a fire truck. Free cookies and a treat bag add to the fun. And kids can sign up to win one of two bikes. Admission is free.
Breakfast with Santa
Merrill’s Park and Recreation Department and Merrill Youth Hockey will host a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Smith Multi Purpose Center/MARC, 1100 Marc Dr,, Merrill. Parents can take photos with Santa afterward. Cost is $3.00 suggested donation per person and advance registration is required. Call 715.536.6187 to register.
Christmas Craft & Vendor Sale
Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes will host a Christmas Craft & Vendor Sale on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with more than 40 crafters and vendors. Handmade crafts, wreaths, jewelry, candles, bakery, candies, cosmetics, children’s books, and more. The event is a great opportunity to shop for gifts and holiday decor.
Tour the holiday lights
Driving around town to check out the many beautiful holiday light displays is another great way to get into the Christmas spirit, any day of the week. Many homes and neighborhoods go all out. So tune your auto’s audio to Christmas music and go for a drive around Merrill.