Horse-drawn wagon rides offer a perfect memory of the holidays during the Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting events in downtown Shawano on Nov. 29. Falling snow added to the magical day, which also featured caroling, s’mores by the campfire, visits with Santa and photos with his reindeer. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
The cloud cover and falling snow gave a black-and-white appearance when looking through a camera lens after Shawano’s Christmas tree at Franklin Park was lit at 5 p.m. Nov. 29. The tree lighting ended the day’s kickoff to the holidays. Below are some of the 115 smaller trees decorated by local businesses and nonprofit organizations. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Lindsay Johnson, left, coordinator of the Shawano Downtown Business Improvement District, leads the countdown to the lighting of the city’s 26-foot tall Christmas tree at Franklin Park. Looking on is Shawano City Clerk Lesley Nemetz. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
The Shawano County Literacy Council was among the 115 nonprofit groups and businesses to decorate trees at Franklin Park. The trees will be lit through the end of the year. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
A couple of Santa’s reindeer make an appearance at the tree lighting event at Franklin Park on Nov. 29. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Decorated Christmas trees line Franklin Street as part of the magical world of Christmas at Franklin Park in downtown Shawano. Hundreds of area residents gathered Nov. 29 for the annual tree lighting event. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Santa, Mrs. Claus and an elf welcome children to their home near Franklin Park. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
The Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting events in downtown Shawano and Franklin Park on Nov. 29 included the opportunity to visit with Santa and discuss that ever-important Christmas wish list. Lennon Hokenstad didn’t let the meeting go to waste, as she told the Jolly Old Elf what she wanted for Christmas. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Emerlyn and Iylah Sheldon, of Shawano, pose next to the Season’s Greetings lights along Franklin Street. Snow fell throughout the day, but it wasn’t enough to keep the crowds away from the holiday kickoff activities. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Amanda Roma, foreground, and Melissa Cook sample the coffee, cookies and chocolates at Dreier’s Pharmacy on Nov. 29. The treats were offered to potential customers as part of the Shawano Downtown Business Improvement District’s Holiday Stroll to encourage local shopping on Small Business Saturday. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Edi Grosskopf, of Shawano, admires the decorations on a tree at Thornberry Cottage in downtown Shawano. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)

Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting