<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2FLkF8_1H3BlFLk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2FLkF8_1H3BlFLk00" width="1200" height="600" ><p>DE PERE, Wis. (WBAY) — A new holiday event called Downtown Unwrapped begins Friday in downtown De Pere.</p><p>The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes a tree lighting, holiday window displays at local businesses and free activities for families.</p><p>Tina Quigley, executive director of Definitely De Pere, said the event starts a new city tradition.</p><p>“It’s a great way to kick off a two-month-long holiday season,” Quigley said.</p><h2>When and where is Downtown Unwrapped?</h2><p>The event is centered at Michael J. Walsh Plaza, at Wisconsin and James streets, which Quigley described as the hub of the event.</p><p>The lighting of a 25 to 30 foot tree takes place at 6 p.m.</p><p>A trolley will take visitors from the east side to the west side of downtown, Quigley said.</p><h2>What free activities are planned?</h2><p>Free horse and carriage rides will have drop-off and pickup at the plaza, Quigley said.</p><p>Other free offerings include marshmallow roasting, s’mores and hot chocolate. Events manager Samantha Benson said a roasted nuts and kettle corn vendor will be on site, along with sponsors offering activities for families and children. Quigley said a scavenger hunt for children is planned.</p><h2>What is the Tree of Wishes?</h2><p>The Tree of Wishes is a smaller lit tree decorated with ornaments. Quigley said it will stay up all season.</p><p>Visitors can write a wish, put it in an ornament and hang it on the tree. They also can take a wish. Quigley said the wishes are similar to a fortune cookie and are “words of encouragement, kindness.”</p><p>Quigley said organizers will keep the tree decorated with ornaments throughout the season and encourage community members to add wish ornaments.</p><h2>How does window display voting work?</h2><p>About 18 businesses will unveil holiday window displays, Quigley said. A People’s Choice award vote is part of the contest, and voting is open through Dec. 24.</p><p>“You can come any time, view the windows and vote for your favorite,” Quigley said.</p><h2>Which businesses are open?</h2><p>About 20 businesses will have open houses, Quigley said. They may offer refreshments, activities and special promotions for late-night shopping.</p><p>Benson said the businesses will have extended shopping hours, holiday open houses and art nights.</p><h2>Why a downtown owner is taking part</h2><p>Ruth Fameree, owner of Smith’s Mercantile in downtown De Pere, said her store’s window display was covered Friday morning and will be unveiled later in the day.</p><p>Fameree said she is using a “simple old school, classic Christmas” theme for the display.</p><p>She said the event creates “simple joys and things that bring nostalgia.” She said a tree lighting and window displays are “an experience that will create memories for families.”</p><p>“I think it’s just a great event to bring people into their own backyard to rediscover what their downtown offers,” Fameree said. “Even if you’re not from De Pere, we’re really close.”</p><p>Smith’s Mercantile sells apparel, bath and body products, candles and specialty food items, Fameree said. She said the store sources as much as it can from Wisconsin.</p><h2>Why organizers planned the event</h2><p>Benson said this is the first Downtown Unwrapped. She said organizers wanted to make sure the event “was kicked off correctly.”</p><p>Benson said organizers wanted an event where downtown De Pere could “all just kind of do it together” before the start of the holiday season.</p></div></body>

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DE PERE, Wis. (WBAY) — A new holiday event called Downtown Unwrapped begins Friday in downtown De Pere. The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes a tree lighting, holiday window displays at local businesses and free activities for families. Tina Quigley, executive director of Definitely De...

De Pere debuts Downtown Unwrapped holiday event

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DE PERE, Wis. (WBAY) — A new holiday event called Downtown Unwrapped begins Friday in downtown De Pere. The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and includes a tree

De Pere debuts Downtown Unwrapped holiday event

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