New City Manager to Light Downtown Christmas Tree;
New Ornaments Will Sparkle
New Eau Claire City Manager Russel Van Gompel will perform the ceremonial lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree this Saturday. Van Gompel is in his third week with the City of Eau Claire.
The tree will sport a bit of a new look this year with some new ornaments and some refurbished ones! Brent Douglas Floral gave the once gold ornaments a new look by painting them bright green and silver. They also sparkle with glitter and other materials. Downtown Eau Claire has also invested in new red spheres that light up. The 100 spheres will be placed on the tree on Thursday. The existing ornaments date back prior to DECI's existence, meaning they are more than a decade old.
Thomas Leigh Decorators assisted in decorating the tree, as well as in moving the tree into a bit of a different location than in previous years. You'll find the tree in the parking lot across from the Children's Museum of Eau Claire on S. Barstow Street, near the Ramada Convention Center. The 25 ft Fraser Fir was donated by Pleasant Valley Tree Farm.
The tree lighting will take place at approximately 4:30 p.m., following a performance by the Eau Claire Memorial Madrigal Singers.
Christmastime in the City will include the following wonderful family activities:
- 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Lunch with Santa in the Greenbriar Room of the Ramada Convention Center. Parents can bring cameras for pictures! Lunch is $5 per person (children under 18 months old are free). This includes pizza, beverage, a visit with Santa, and a cookie decorating activity hosted by the Boys and Girls Club! There will also be crafts hosted by Macaroni Kid!
- 2:30 p.m. - Swan Lake Ballet students will perform.
- 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Free horse-drawn wagon rides on the corner of Barstow St. and Grand Ave. Hot chocolate from Frogiyo, cider from Half Moon Tea and Spice, cookies from Smiling Moose Deli and Charly's Market, and a fire to warm up with, will be provided in the parking lot near the Ramada
- 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Visit with Santa's reindeer
- 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Carols sung around the Christmas tree by the Eau Claire Memorial Madrigal Singers in the parking lot near the Ramada
- 4:30 p.m. - Christmas Tree Lighting
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Visit our website here to watch the new Christmastime in the City commercial! |
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Thank you to this week's renewing member!
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Ed's Barber Shop Clips Toward 50 Years
 Many things have changed in Downtown Eau Claire over the last 50 years. But with all of the transformations and evolutions, one shop has been a mainstay. Ed's Barber Shop at 307 East Grand Avenue has never moved or changed. It has been downtown for nearly 50 years.
The quaint shop is owned and operated by 75-year-old Ed Valk who's been a barber in Eau Claire for a total of 55 years! He established his business Downtown in 1963 and is heading into 2013 ready to celebrate a big milestone of a half-century.
Ed says the tools of trade haven't changed much over the years, and neither have his techniques. He says it's the customers' requests that are always shifting with the trends. "What has changed is the phases or styles that have come and gone from short hair, to long hair, to flat tops."
Patiently waiting customers continually line the seats in the one-man shop, while Ed clips and cuts, and of course, chats with each familiar face. With a shop that's been around for nearly half-century, it's tradition and loyalty that keep the shop buzzing. Ed says grandfathers, fathers, and sons have all sat in his chair and he even has quite a few fourth generation customers. "It makes it hard to walk away, it's like walking away from family."
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Winter Farmers Market
On Saturday, December 8th, the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market will open at 9:00am at the L.E. Phillips Senior Center, 1616 Bellinger St, Eau Claire, Wi.
Until 1:00 pm this holiday market will be filled with local producers of: honey, maple syrup, meats, fish, cheeses, baked goods, salsas, fresh vegetables, pet treats, hand-made candies, canned goods, berry sauces, popcorn and goat-milk soaps.
A complimentary hospitality table, sponsored by the vendors, will be laden with holiday treats. Shopping will be accompanied by holiday music.
A registration card will be available at the door for the gift basket that will be filled with 100% locally produced items. This card, when signed by all of the vendors, qualifies customers to participate in the gift basket drawing. Customers need not be present to win at the 1:00 pm drawing.
The Winter Farmers Market is held the second Saturday of each month, November through April, at the L.E. Phillips Senior Center.
 
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Get the Word Out!
Would you like a little more help publicizing your Downtown event? Just put it on our calendar! Go to our website and submit your event! It's that easy!
(The link is near the bottom of the page under the calendar)
And when you're done with that don't forget to 'like' our Facebook page
Downtown Eau Claire!
or visit our YouTube channel Downtown Eau Claire, Inc!
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