Posted: Nov. 23, 2009

Whitefish Bay — If you want to get some late-night shopping done Friday, or if you just want to enjoy a traditional start of the holiday season, look no further than Silver Spring Drive.

The village's annual Holiday Stroll will take place downtown from 5 to 9 p.m., and organizers say this year's event, with a Holidays Around the World theme, will have more activities than ever before.

A holiday parade will start at 6 p.m. on Kent Avenue and Silver Spring Drive, follow Silver Spring Drive, and end at Lake Drive. After the parade, which will feature Santa and his live reindeer, families can partake in the tree-lighting ceremony, visit Santa at M & I Bank, enjoy food and beverages, take a free carriage, train or pony ride, and enjoy the entertainment and activities the festival has to offer. Also, regulars to the Holiday Stroll might notice a few extra attractions this year.

"We keep trying to get different things in the parade," said John Stuhlmacher, co-chairman of the event. "There will also be different games and stuff like that afterward. This year we have more food than we've ever had, and we're actually going to have a beer tent. We've never had that before."

Shops on Silver Spring will be open extended hours and will have holiday specials and treats for late-night shoppers. Depending on the weather, the event is expected to draw between 2,000 and 5,000 people.

However, additions to the parade and menu aren't the only new attractions. There also will be some new businesses on Silver Spring, including Simon Oliver Menswear. The clothing store is the first business to receive support from the Retail Incentive Program sponsored by the village and the Business Improvement District. The shop was presented a $20,000 check during its grand opening on Saturday.

Although the Holiday Stroll is scheduled on the busiest shopping day of the year, organizers say people don't usually visit the stores to shop that night. Instead, the focus is on getting together with family, watching the parade and enjoying activities.

"People like to view what to come back for," said Jackie Thompson, an employee at Placesetters, an upscale gift shop. "If their friends are in from out of town, or if their family is in from out of town, somebody might say, 'Oh! Isn't this great? I love it!' Then that person can come and buy it the next day."

If you go

What: Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Silver Spring Drive, between Santa Monica Boulevard and Lake Drive

For more information: Visit

wfbcivicfoundation.org