About A Cedarburg Christmas

 

A Cedarburg Christmas was started in 2009 by a small group of community volunteers for the purpose of promoting all the holiday offerings available in beautiful downtown Cedarburg in a single location. Responsibilities quickly grew when the opportunity to build a life-size free-standing Santa's Workshop presented itself, and Santa agreed to make Cedarburg a regular stop on his holiday tours. More than 500 families visit him in his Cedarburg Workshop each year. (2020 being an exception.) Today the same small group of "elves" continues to spearhead the organization's efforts, with financial support and additional "elf power" provided by Festivals of Cedarburg. 

 

Questions, suggestions, contributions and other inquiries can be directed to cedarburgchristmas@gmail.com. 

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About Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc.

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The vitality and energy of Historic Cedarburg’s downtown shopping district has been enhanced by well-attended annual festivals. Begun in 1973, Winter Festival and Wine & Harvest Festival have been successful in bringing thousands of visitors and residents alike to celebrate the charm and beauty of this beautiful downtown, named to the National Historic District in 1986. In 1985, Strawberry Festival was begun, while in 2005, the first Cedarburg Cycling Classic was undertaken and in July, 2008 the first annual German Festival, now known as Oktoberfest joined the list.  In 2013, A Cedarburg Christmas was added to the line of up family-friendly entertainment.

 

Until 2006, community volunteers, Cedarburg’s retail merchants and non-profit groups, along with the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce helped create and sustain festivals.  In 2001, Festivals had grown so large, that for charitable purposes, a 501(c)3 organization was founded named Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc., with a board made up of nine volunteer members and an Executive Director.  The Festival Executive Director manages the day-to-day operations, and along with a Festival Manager and a Festival Coordinator, organize and execute the festivals. The Festival board, community and retail members participate as part of a Festival Committee that meets once a month at Cedarburg City Hall.  This meeting is open to the general public.

 

The mission of Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc. is to continue to work toward sustaining a vital and healthy business and retail community by showcasing the city’s attributes, encouraging tourism and fostering civic, cultural and educational interests. Non-profit groups in Cedarburg also benefit financially by their participation, enabling them to fund their own operations and charitable contributions through festival events. Some of those groups include the Cedarburg Garden Club, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, Cedarburg Lion’s, American Legion, Scout Troops, Big Brothers and Sisters of Ozaukee County, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant's Association, Ozaukee Art Center and area Churches to name several.

 

Responsible for the infrastructure of each event, after expenses are paid and the Festivals' financial cushion is assured, any profits made by Festivals are given back into the community via enhanced festival events and a Grant Program. Grant applications are received annually and funds for those grants are disseminated yearly. Please see the list below for some of the receipts of grants from Festivals of Cedarburg.  

 

A few of the past grants awarded:

American Red Cross

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County

Cedarburg Artist's Guild

Cedarburg Civic Band

Cedarburg Cultural Center

Cedarburg First Responders

Cedarburg Merchants Organization

Cedarburg Parks & Recreation

Cedarburg Police Department K-9 Unit

Cedar Creek Riverwalk Project

Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant's Association

Cedarburg/Grafton Rotary

Cedarburg Tourism, Promotional & Development Committee (TP&D)

Rivoli Theatre

Summer Sounds

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts

...and many more

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