Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
The Claire d'Loon sits outside the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, surrounded by snow on Wednesday evening. A large wreath will be placed around the statue's neck by Santa Claus during the annual Northwoods Winter Wonderland celebration on Saturday.
By CHARITY SMITH
MERCER, Wis. - Mercer's Northwoods Winter Wonderland community celebration begins Saturday with the Candy Cane Christmas parade and the wreathing of the Claire d' Loon.
The parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the line-up starting a half-hour prior. The parade starts at the Mercer Department of Natural Resources ranger station and travels south along U.S. 51 to the Mercer Community Center.
The parade will feature floats, decorated vehicles, and walking groups, according to a Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce director Melissa Biszak. Entries with candy cane and peppermint themes are eligible to compete for cash prizes. Prizes will be given to the best entries in the categories of business, individual and non-profit.
The parade will pause at 4 p.m. in front of the chamber office on U.S. 51 for the placing of a wreath on the large loon statue there and the lighting of the holiday tree. Santa and the Mercer Fire Department and EMS personnel will place the wreath. The parade will then continue on to the community center.
At 4:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive with the parade at the community center for Santa's workshop. The workshop will go until 6 p.m. Kids will be able to write letters to Santa, do crafts, receive goodie bags, enjoy cookies and hot beverages.
"Santa and Mrs. Claus will have different crafts, cookies, and beverages, for all the kiddos," said Biszak.
A lighted house tour and business decoration contest will also begin on Saturday. Biszak said that maps for the tour will be available on Friday at the chamber, community center, and at local businesses. The map will showcase the best tour route of all the decorated houses.
The business decoration contest gives area businesses a chance to decorate their storefront or part of their establishment.
Pictures of entries to the lighted house tour and the business decoration contest will be posted online, for the public to vote on. The best decorated house will win a prize. There will be an online Facebook poll for the best decorated business.
The chamber has worked in conjunction with local businesses, organizations, and partners to put together the Northwoods Winter Wonderland Passport. The passport is a compilation of different places to go to and events happening in the area through February 2022. Those who complete the passport can turn it in to the chamber to be entered for a prize.
