Text and photos by Faith Huey, UW Stout Harvey Hall News Service
Dunn County residents came out to the local holiday event Wakanda Wonderland. The festivities featured decorated holiday trees, bonfires, carolers, wagon rides, food, a holiday market, and activities for kids.
The event was hosted by the Dunn County Historical Society and took place on December 10. Many area residents and families showed up to enjoy the festivities. With great holiday photo opportunities, food and drinks, and activities revolving around the holidays, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The EB Ranch Farmstead set up a photo spot and brought along a goat named Luigi that was walked around for photos and interactions with kids.
A main focus of the event was the trees. Local businesses and organizations had the opportunity to sponsor and decorate a tree to represent themselves. Many who attended walked around to admire the creativity that each sponsor showed with their decorations. The Wakanda Wonderland trees will be left up through Dec. 29th, so anyone who couldn’t make it to the event still has a chance to go see them.
The director of the historical society, Melissa Kneeland, said she’s excited about what they can do with the event next year.
“It’s been going really great,” Kneeland said. “It’s been nice to have this be the second year so that we can plan. We feel a little more prepared, but as with any big event, every year we are always learning and finding new things to do.”
According to Kneeland, those who missed Wakanda Wonderland can look forward to the museum’s next big event, the May Celebration, which is an outdoor event that celebrates spring. There is also a traveling exhibit coming in June called “We Have Always Been Here”, which features the history of LGBTQ+ in Wisconsin to support and represent all the voices within the community. Be sure to keep an eye out on the Dunn County Historical Society’s website for future event information!
