Thrifty Travel Tips

With Thanksgiving over, it is officially Christmas season, and there are many free and inexpensive activities available for you and your family to get into the holiday spirit.
If you enjoy parades, there are several planned in the next few weeks. Both Beaver Dam and Mayville hold their Christmas parades on Saturday, December 6, starting at 5 p.m. Both cities also sponsor an entire day of holiday-themed activities before the parade. See the cities’ Chamber of Commerce websites for more information. The Columbus holiday parade is on Saturday, December 13, starting at 6 p.m., and the City of Fox Lake sponsors a parade of lights on the same day, starting at 5 p.m.
If you and your loved ones like homemade holiday cookies and candy but don’t have the time to make them yourselves, you can partake in the Trinity Community Center Cookie and Candy Walk on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Bakers have worked tirelessly making all your holiday favorites, which will be available for purchase and sold by the pound. A basket raffle will also be held, and lunch and refreshments are available for purchase. The Trinity Community Center is located on Hwy P just south of Hwy 33.
If your family enjoys trains, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stops at the Columbus train depot on Wednesday, December 10, at 9:05 p.m. There will also be a holiday-themed show with live music and lights. Participants are encouraged to bring a donation for the local food pantry.
If music is an important element to get you into the holiday spirit, the Beaver Dam Area Orchestra offers two free performances on Saturday, December 13, at Beaver Dam High School. A 5 p.m. concert is offered for families with younger children, and a longer concert is offered the same day at 7 p.m. After both concerts, all children in attendance will receive a Christmas gift courtesy of sponsors Tom and Judy Heffron. On Saturday, December 20, at 4 p.m, the Columbus Chamber Choir will be hosting its winter concert at the Fireman’s Park Pavillion in Columbus.
If your family enjoys looking at outdoor lighting displays, the Beaver Dam Rotary Lights at Swan Park will be on every night through January 3. In Fond du Lac, the Lakeside Park holiday light show can be enjoyed every evening through January 1 from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
If your family enjoys both lighting displays and animals, a trip to Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bend offers both. Open from 1 p.m.-9 p.m. each day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Shalom offers you an opportunity to walk or drive through the zoo, enjoying the festive decorations throughout the many animal habitats. The zoo is home to many animals, but a crowd favorite is Ginger, the white tiger and her four playful cubs. While entrance to the zoo is not free, they do offer reduced admission during this holiday season to thank everyone for their ongoing support. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 3-12 ,and kids 2 and under are free. Check Shalom’s website for more information.