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Santa trading sleigh for steam train

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

The Edgerton Chamber of Commerce and city residents have been working hard to prepare the city in anticipation of Santa’s Steam Train visit next week. The jolly old elf will arrive in town by train at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and stay overnight before departing Saturday, Dec. 6.

EDGERTON — Santa Claus is coming to town next week, but he won't be arriving by sleigh.

The "Santa Steam Train," led by a 1913 steam locomotive, will bring the jolly old elf into town Friday, Dec. 5, for a visit Saturday, Dec. 6.

But this is no ordinary visit from Santa, said Kathy Citta, administrator of the Edgerton Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has planned two days of activities, including a movie screening, free refreshments, musical performances and a pancake breakfast to entertain visitors from far and near.

The chamber is expecting thousands of visitors from all over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois for the event, Citta said. She has even heard from a family of train enthusiasts planning to come from Dubuque, Iowa, to see the locomotive.

Organizers enthuse the event has something for everyone: Kids get to see Santa and his friends, while adults can enjoy the historic train and other entertainment.

"Everybody's a child at heart," said Scott Cramer, who is helping raise money for the event. "With the hard economic times, a lot of folks are … truly looking for a distraction from reality, and here you go. Santa's coming to town."

The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad and 1003 Operations, owner of the steam engine and caboose, bring the train to a few places each year free of charge. But the chamber is spending more than $7,000 on marketing and event logistics, Citta said.

Still, the chamber is glad to bring a free event to the community, officials said.

"Money is tight," Cramer said. "This being a free event should help a lot of families."

The chamber also sees the event as a marketing opportunity. A visit from the steam train last year drew more than 4,000 visitors to Plymouth, four times what organizers were expecting, said Jerry Thompson, who organized the visit there. The train is making a return visit to Plymouth a week after it comes to Edgerton.

Citta has been amazed by residents' willingness to help out, she said. A local woman volunteered to play Mrs. Claus, and the local Rotary group offered to provide security.

But Burt Mall, a partner in 1003 Operations, isn't surprised the train visit is stirring up so much excitement. The historic Soo Line engine appeals to children and adults alike, he said.

"There is something rather, what's the word, captivating about it when you see the live steam and the smoke and the whistle," he said.

IF YOU GO

The schedule for the Santa Steam Train is:

-- Friday, Dec. 5:

5:30 p.m.: Edgerton Middle School Choir sings carols at the Edgerton Depot, 20 S. Main St., Edgerton.

6 p.m.: Steam train arrives at the depot.

6:30 p.m.: Edgerton Middle School Band performs.

-- Saturday, Dec. 6:

7-11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at the Tri-County Community Center, 112 Swift St., Edgerton. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 and younger. Downtown restaurants and taverns also will have breakfast and lunch specials. Moreheart Studios Violin students will perform at the community center at 9 a.m.

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Visits with Santa at the depot. Pictures are available for $5. Children can write letters to Santa and enjoy cookies and hot drinks while waiting. The Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., will show "The Polar Express" all morning.

10 a.m.: The Edgerton Fire Department uses its tanker to fill the locomotive water tanks. The Edgerton High School Chamber performs, followed by the Edgerton High School Band at 10:30 a.m..

12:30 p.m.: Santa leaves on the train.

For more information, visit www.edgertonwisconsin.com and click on "Calendar of events" or call (608) 884-4408.

SPONSORS SOUGHT

The Edgerton Area Chamber of Commerce is still looking for corporate sponsors for the Santa Steam Train visit.

The visit is free, but the chamber is spending more than $7,000 for marketing, decorations and event logistics, Administrator Kathy Citta said.

The chamber will include a list of sponsors in a brochure given to visitors, and donors who give $1,000 or more will have their names displayed on the caboose, Citta said.

For more information, call Citta at (608) 884-4408.