By Katelyn Voorhies

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the museum.

The Christmas Tree Walk at the South Wood County Historical Museum has one more weekend left until it closes the holiday fun for the season. The 2019 Christmas Tree Walk is dedicated to Sue Wesley and Judith Paul, who created this event in 2015. They wanted to bring the joy of Christmas into the museum and decided what better way than to decorate.

This year, the event is run by Rita Weiler and Bambi Johnson. They started planning in May by sending out postcards to possible volunteers. On each postcard, they asked if the volunteer would be decorating a tree or room. Those postcards were sent back to Weiler and Johnson.

“I’m so excited to go and see all the trees after I receive each designers theme. I have a vision in my mind and then I see their trees, I am blown away, with how talented and how far they go with their imagination and creativity, it’s truly the highlight of my Christmas season.” said Johnson.

During the last week of October and first week of November, the decorating begins. The volunteers come in at different times to decorate their sections or trees. The volunteers can be individuals, non-profit organizations, or even community organizations or businesses, like the Le Chateau – The Manor Bed and Breakfast, who titled their tree, “Touched by an Angel,” making it with a completely red tree decorated red wings and an angel on top.

Another tree, “The Face of Freedom,” created by Bill Parker, was decorated in photos from war and military events with dog tags hanging from the branches and a military hat on top. Parker also manages the military honor display in the museum.

Richard P. Linked came from Fox Lake, to view this event and has taken the chance to see similar events across the state. He enjoyed “The Face of Freedom” as his family has many people who have served in the military.

For those who like the Harry Potter franchise, Pam Kubisiak and Liz Stern decorated half of the classroom display to look seem like scenes from the movie, followed by decorating a tree covered in Harry Potter memorabilia.

The Museum Christmas Tree Walk is available yet on Dec. 13, 4-8 p.m., and Dec. 14-15, noon-4 p.m. The museum is located at  540 Third St. South, Wisconsin Rapids.