The occasion was the cutting down of the first official Christmas tree for the 2009 season.  Alice in Dairyland Cheryl O’Brien, who serves as an agricultural ambassador for the state and Paul and Helen Schilling of Paul’s Tree Farm, where the event took place, were also in attendance, but the honoree was a nameless Canaan fir, destined to be the area’s first tree to fall.

The Canaan fir is a hardy tree and considered a replacement for the popular Ferguson fir. 

Paul Schilling spoke briefly about his farm, pointing out a far windbreak whose tall trees were among the first his family planted over sixty years ago. At first, he explained, the only trees his family planted were for windbreaks to slow the erosion of topsoil.

Today, about half of his farm, or eighty acres, is planted in Christmas trees of many varieties. Wisconsin is fifth in the nation in the production of Christmas trees, with approximately 1400 tree farms and 36,000 acres in Christmas trees.

With help from Schilling and a crowd of children, O’Brien finished cutting the tree down, and the children lowered it to the ground. With Santa leading the way, the children sang Christmas carols as they carried the tree out of the small grove. The tree was donated by the Schillings to the Brodhead School District, and the children will decorate it for Christmas.

The event begins on Friday at 3:45 p.m. when Santa comes to town. At 4 p.m. will be the lighting of the luminaries. Santa will hold a snack and story time at City Hall from 4 to 6:30 p.m. There will also be cookie decorating at City Hall, courtesy of the Brodhead Optimist. Also from 4 to 6:30 p.m. free hot chocolate and hot cider will be available at City Hall, courtesy of Sugar River Bank.

From 4 to 6:30 p.m. people may view the Memory Tree at City Hall. Individuals may purchase their memory light through the chamber of commerce for $3. A white light will signify “in memory of someone.” A blue light will signify “in honor of someone.” Memory forms are available in the Independent-Register or at the Covered Bridge Gift Cottage, They should be filled out and returned to Brodhead Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 16, Brodhead, WI 53520. From 4:30 to 6:30 there will be free carriage rides at city hall, courtesy of Brodhead Bid Board and Brodhead Chamber of Commerce. Carolers will also be downtown during the same time.

Brodhead to Bethlehem will be offered at Living Word Church, 3825-S County Road T from 5 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to “come walk among the common folk on the night Jesus was born, take part in the census, visit with the merchants and families, perhaps share in the excitement of a wedding, and experience the sights, sounds and smells and sample the foods of the times.” There is a suggested $2 per person donation or $5 per family. All proceeds go the White Gifts Food Bank and other local charities.

Finally on Friday, a lighted parade will be held at 7 p.m. Check-in for the parade is near the Methodist Church parking lot. The parade route will go down 1st Center Avenue and make a left turn onto Exchange Street and then make a right turn on 2nd Avenue to the stop sign. The parade will end at Veterans Park. Signup forms are available in the newspaper and should be returned to Brodhead Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 16, Brodhead, WI 53520.

On Saturday, Dec. 12 the UCC Church, 204 E. 23rd St., will offer a cookie walk, candy, gifts and pictures with Santa at 8 a.m. Brodhead stores will offer refreshments and store specials from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, vendors will be selling holiday items in the Prudential Building.

Free carriage rides will again be offered from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Brodhead restaurants will offer soup and sandwich specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Living Word Church will again present Brodhead to Bethlehem from 1 to 5 p.m. The parade of homes will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. There is a $3 charge, with proceeds going to White Gift Food Pantry.