Christmas festivities draw a crowd

Belgium held its annual European Christmas parade and market on Saturday, drawing large crowds in cool but dry weather. The Melvin Wester American Legion Post (top photo) recreated the scene of American soldiers bringing a holiday tradition back to children in Wilz, Luxembourg, soon after they liberated the country from the Nazis in 1944. Matt Moore of Kewaskum played St. Nick and said it was an honor “to commemorate something that meaningful.” The Luxembourg American Cultural Society’s Roots and Leaves Museum in Belgium has an exhibit telling the 75-year-old story.

Matt Bollman and his 21-month-old daughter Thea made ornaments in Village Hall.