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The Village of Pleasant Prairie and the Pleasant Prairie Convention and Visitors Bureau (PPCVB) are reviving a holiday tree bonfire tradition. On January 6, 2020, the community is encouraged to come out for the Twelfth Night Tree Burning Ceremony, a historical event that began in 1980 and continued through 1993. The ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. at RecPlex Wruck (Beach) Pavilion, located along Park Drive on the west side of Lake Andrea in Pleasant Prairie.
Pleasant Prairie adopted the Twelfth Night tradition in the 1980s and celebrated the event for 13 years. Historically residents sang songs, shared holiday treats, and enjoyed hot chocolate while gathering around the warm fire. Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha utilized the ceremony to safely dispose of their dried holiday trees.
If residents would like to contribute a tree to the event, they can place it inside the fenced-in drop off area along Park Drive on the west side of Lake Andrea. Holiday tree drop-off sites will open for Village residents starting December 26. Only trees are accepted. Please remove all wreaths, garland, lights, ornaments, tree bags, stands, nails, and other metal objects.
Public safety at the event is a top priority. The bonfire area will be at least 100 square feet and is subject to the Fire Chief and onsite Public Safety Personnel judgment. Parking along Park Drive will be reserved for Fire and Rescue, so safety trucks and equipment can be closest to the fire. Residents and staff are encouraged to park in lots on either side of the Wruck Pavilion.
The last Twelfth Night event took place 26 years ago. The Village and Visitor's Bureau are happy to host the event and look forward to seeing the community attend. Festivities will kick off at 6:00 p.m., with a welcome from PPCVB Executive Director, Michelle Williamson, followed by Pleasant Prairie Historical Society Vice President, Jean Werbie-Harris, with a brief history on the tradition. The free bonfire event is open to the public; the fire will commence at 6:15 p.m., followed by treats and hot chocolate in the Wruck Pavilion. Donations are welcome to support the Historical Society, celebrating their tenth year, raise funds to complete their renovation of the Dublin School for the Pleasant Prairie History Museum.
Photo Courtesy of Kenosha News