Muskego’s Country Christmas 2012 features many holiday favorites, and will be kicked off with a stroll down a brand-new street.

A "Storybook Christmas" parade begins the festivities at Muskego’s Country Christmas Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. on the newly-finished Pioneer Drive. The parade will go from Pioneer Drive and Janesville Road towards the Settlement Center.

A Christmas gift dash will open the festivities at the Settlement Center after the parade at 1:45 p.m. A squirrel, a monkey, a hero, an ice cream cone and many more un-Christmassy characters will line up at the starting line for the 2nd annual mascot race. Divided into two relay teams, these characters will race to see who can get a pile of oversized Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree first.

A note on parking: the parade lines up on the north end of Pioneer Drive, so the road will be closed by 12:15 p.m. Parking will NOT be allowed at Thomas Jewelers, as they will need to keep spaces available for their customers. However, there is area parking toward Muskego City Hall and around the Old Settlement Centre, where the majority of activities will take place. No shuttle service is offered for this event.

Other activities and offerings to celebrate the season include:

• Visit with Santa in the old school house
• Santa's reindeer up close and pet-able
• Train, hay wagon and carriage rides for a nominal fee;
• Plenty of food, including snacks and treats, substantial sandwiches, a candy shoppe and coffeehouse sponsored by San Laurio;
• Kids crafts and Christmas bingo;
• Historical talks focus on old Muskego in the Wolman house;
• Music performed by local groups and a sing-along; and 
• Puppet show and a live nativity.

Donate cash or food to the Muskego Food Pantry at the cider tent and receive a cup of hot cider to keep you warm.

The merriment concludes with tree lighting at 4:45 p.m.