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Historical-Themed Actors to Return to Irvine Park’s Christmas Village
annual holiday favorite will also feature ‘Letters to Santa!’ for the first time
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
The Irvine Park Christmas Village is a decades-long tradition and a favorite for locals throughout the Chippewa Valley, and organizers are still finding ways to brighten up its charming 100,000-light experience! This year’s Christmas Village will be open from Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving) to Jan. 1, 2024.
After the success of last year’s additions of historical props and Victorian-dressed volunteer actors – called “Christmas Villagers” – the special yuletide twist will return for one day only: Friday, Dec. 15. The walking event throughout the Christmas Village will run from 5-6:30pm, when visitors are invited to peruse the historic-themed details up close and to interact with the Christmas Villagers.
Chippewa Falls’s Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department facilitated the addition of the historical elements for the first time last year, spearheaded by UW-Eau Claire graduate student Alexis Linder. The goal was to offer the community an immersive experience element, and thanks to its popularity, it is returning for a second year.
On its opening day – the evening of Thanksgiving Day – the Christmas Village will be open for walk-throughs from 5-6:30pm and to both pedestrians and vehicles from 6:30-9:30pm. The Village will be open to the public from 7am-9:30pm for the rest of its scheduled run this season, with one exception: On Christmas Eve, the Village will be open until midnight.
New this year, the Christmas Village will also be accepting “Letters to Santa!” with a mailbox near the duck pond for community members to drop off their Santa letters.
The Christmas Village is free to visit – the city keeping its promise to William Irvine, who donated a large portion of his property to the Parks Department in 1910 with the condition the park remains free for community use – although donations are appreciated. There is a donation box in the Village.
Learn more about the Irvine Park Christmas Village on the City of Chippewa Falls website.
